Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This study examines how Byung-Chul Han constructs his concept of hope linguistically in The Spirit of Hope through the lens of Appraisal Theory . While Han's philosophy has attracted global attention for its critique of neoliberal society, the linguistic mechanisms through which his arguments achieve their distinctive force remain unexplored. This study addresses this gap through close analysis of Han's evaluative language, focusing on how his philosophical position is built through coordinated patterns of Attitude, Engagement, and Graduation. The analysis reveals that Han's prose operates through what this study terms "dialectical definition", a discursive strategy wherein hope is constructed not through direct assertion but through three interconnected movements: the systematic negative appraisal of contemporary despair, the strategic dialogic contraction of rival philosophical positions, and the positive assembly of hope as a multi-dimensional existential orientation. The findings demonstrate that Han's concept of hope is not merely expressed but discursively performed through specific, analyzable linguistic operations. This study extends Han scholarship by presenting the first systematic linguistic approach to the study of Han's prose, extends Critical Discourse Analysis to the field of philosophy, and offers a language-based model for philosophical analysis of the textually constructed philosophical concepts.
Authors: Maryam Zohra, Sana Nawaz*
Institution: University of Sargodha
Language: English
Subfield: Literature and Literary Theory
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7224692324