A conceptual framework of hope in response to radical uncertainty in transitions

This paper develops an innovative conceptual framework of hope for embracing radical uncertainty in transitions. Literature on narratives of hope has not fully operationalized the concept of hope, which is needed to provide scholars with a better understanding of what embracing radical uncertainty through hope exactly means. To fill this research gap, this paper explores and unpacks the work on hope of public theologian Jonathan Sacks. Sacks understands hope as a journey in which actors gradually learn how to collectively take responsibility for improving their shared living conditions. The paper uses a transversal reasoning approach in which scholars from diverse disciplines jointly and critically unpack Sacks’ understanding of hope. This understanding is based on three key elements of a hopeful response to radical uncertainty: (1) change of identity, (2) active empathy and (3) relational knowledge. Furthermore, Sacks highlights the importance of two institutions to support these elements: (1) covenant and (2) public Sabbath. This conceptual framework of hope is applied to a infrastructure megaproject, which is confronted with radical uncertainty. The findings contribute to transition studies by offering a novel conceptual framework of hope for embracing radical uncertainty. Furthermore, the framework contributes to the theoretical development and practical application of the concept of hope.