In 1972, half of Americans agreed that most people can be trusted; by 2018, only a third did. Different generations, genders, religions, and political parties all think human virtue is evaporating. Cynicism is an understandable response to a world full of injustice and inequality. But in many cases, it is misplaced. Dozens of studies find that people fail to realize how kind, generous, and open-minded others really are. Cynical thinking deepens social problems: when we expect the worst in people, we often bring it out of them.

We don’t have to remain stuck in this cynicism trap. Through science and storytelling, Jamil Zaki, Ph.D. (FAN ’19), director of the Stanford Social Neuroscience Laboratory and author of the new book Hope for Cynics: The Surprising Science of Human Goodness, imparts the secret for beating back cynicism: hopeful skepticism—thinking critically about people and our problems, while honoring and encouraging our strengths. Far from being naïve, hopeful skepticism is a precise way of understanding others that can rebalance our view of human nature and help us build the world we truly want.

Zaki will be in conversation with Robert Sapolsky, Ph.D., the John A. and Cynthia Fry Gunn Professor of Biology, Neurology, and Neurosurgery at Stanford University, as well as a research associate at the Institute of Primate Research, National Museums of Kenya. His books for non-scientists include Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers: The Acclaimed Guide to Stress, Stress-Related Diseases, and Coping; Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst; and most recently, Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will.

This event suitable for youth 12+. It will be recorded and available on FAN’s website and YouTube channel.

BONUS BOOK GIVEAWAY! We are giving away copies of Hope for Cynics to randomly selected Zoom attendees. Details on the webinar registration page.

“With rigorous scientific research and fascinating narratives, Zaki challenges the belief that humanity is inherent selfish, and advocates, instead, for a ‘hopeful skepticism’ that creates a better world.” – Charles Duhigg (FAN ’24)