Everyone
always thinks there are only two categories that everyone fits into; you are
either an optimist or a pessimist, no wiggle-room, no cross-over. Is that true
though? I don’t think so. First, I think there are way more than two categories,
varying in intensity and outlook on life. Second, I definitely think there is
cross-over, depending on mood and circumstances. Third, and finally, what does
it even mean to be an optimist, pessimist, etc. Optimism is defined as a hopefulness
and confidence about the future or the successful outcome of something, always
seeing the bright side of a situation. It is a doctrine, especially as set
forth by Leibniz, that this world is the best of all possible worlds. Pessimism,
on the other hand, is a tendency to see the worst aspect of things or believe
that the worst will happen; a lack of hope or confidence in the future. It is a
belief that this world is as bad as it could be or that evil will ultimately
prevail over good. There are more outlooks than these two though. A fatalist is defined
as someone who constantly spews out doom and gloom in just about every turn you
take, no matter the situation. A
realist is someone who tends to view or present things as they really are at
this moment in time. Which one are you? Which one am I? What does it say about
someone who chooses one or the other, or refuses to choose at all? In the end,
maybe there is no point in dealing out or choosing a category or multiple
categories. Just be who you are, the world will still continue no matter what
you choose, unless you are a fatalist, I guess.
(H3) I it actually possible to be a realist though. We say realism is just accepting things as they are, but how we perceive things will always be effected by how well we are apprised of the actual situation, and our own pessimistic or optimistic leanings. So is realism an attainable or just optimal state?
ReplyDelete(H3) I get what your saying. Our view of the world will always have a bias based on past experience. It's impossible to separate our views of the world from what we see every day; they are linked. That doesn't mean we can't try though.
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ReplyDeleteI think there is some importance as to which way a person views things. If they are optimist about situations, the outcome will probably be better. If they are a pessimist or a fatalist, the situation will probably seem worse than it is. It's about how you deal with it that matters.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I am neither a pessimist or optimist so I don't think it is only 2 categories.
ReplyDeleteI would interject yet another category of just don't care what happens tomorrow I believe that some people just do not care if tomorrow is good or bad I like to think that I am this way I don't have expectations because you have to role with whatever happens
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that it does matter what stance you take on life. Without a view, whether it be hopeful or full of dismay, I think your view helps shape the way that you act and behave in this world. For example, a pessimistic view may lead someone to not study for a big exam they are about to take because in their view it will end poorly anyway. Due to that, they may fail the exam. I guess truly though it goes back to the fate and deterministic arguments on whether anything matters.
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