there are several fundamental reasons why this occurs:
1. Defence Mechanisms
Hope acts as a mental shield against anxiety. Facts are often bitter, cold, and uncontrollable. If people were to live solely on the basis of bleak facts (for example: high unemployment figures or the risk of illness), the human mind could become paralysed by anxiety. Hope provides a sense of illusory control that allows us to continue functioning and acting even when the situation is unfavourable.
2. The Narrative Fallacy
The human brain is wired to prefer stories (narratives) over statistical data. Facts often present themselves as numbers or random realities. Conversely, hope usually takes the form of a narrative with a happy ending. We tend to cast ourselves as the ‘hero’ in our own life story, and a hero must triumph at the end of the story, regardless of the facts encountered along the way.
3. The Theory of Loss Aversion and Wishful Thinking
In behavioural psychology, there is a strong tendency towards Wishful Thinking. We form beliefs based on what is pleasant to imagine, rather than on available evidence. This occurs because:
*Dopamine: Imagining success or positive outcomes triggers the release of dopamine in the brain, providing an instant sense of comfort.
*Avoiding Regret: Acknowledging bad facts means having to accept failure or loss, which is emotionally far more painful than clinging to hope.
4. The Backfire Effect
When facts that starkly contradict our beliefs or hopes emerge, the brain often perceives them as a physical threat. Rather than accepting these facts, our nervous system reinforces old beliefs to protect our sense of self. This is why the more someone is confronted with facts that shatter their hopes, the more stubbornly they may cling to those hopes.
5. Evolutionary Value
From an evolutionary perspective, hope is a driving force. Early humans who were ‘too realistic’ might not have dared to migrate over mountains or attempt to hunt larger animals because the facts showed it was dangerous. It was those humans who possessed a touch of ‘irrationality’ in the form of hope who dared to take risks, innovate, and ultimately survive.
> “Facts tell us where we stand, but hope tells us where we can go.”
Philosophically, this is similar to the concept of Amor Fati (loving one’s fate) but with the added element of a desire to transcend that reality. Humans require a certain dose of distortion of reality to avoid falling into existential despair.