alchemist1248 t1_j2u8sto wrote
The reason I have rejected optimism is the same reason that I have rejected Christianity. Both seem to say that righteous, wrathful rage should never be the appropriate response. And that whenever something good does happen, then that is the natural way of the world, or God's plan, instead of a violent departure from the normal state of many of our lives. Neither of these paired attitudes offer a realistic or useful view of reality as it is. They are only marginally useful as a view of how reality ought to be.
Wilddog73 t1_j2ufthc wrote
And pessimism?
alchemist1248 t1_j2ug2b5 wrote
Pessimism acknowledges, as the piece said, that sometimes it is OK not to be OK. And that we don't gave to pretend that we are or will be in order for our worldview to make sense
Wilddog73 t1_j2uj1ga wrote
Hmm. But the piece wasn't encouraging regular old pessimism, but "hopeful pessimism", no?
alchemist1248 t1_j2ujlt8 wrote
I would argue that any pessimism that doesn't fall into nihilism must be inherently hopeful
Wilddog73 t1_j2um3ur wrote
That certainly doesn't fit my caricature of it. I guess we really will have to consider the difference between pessimism and skepticism/criticism more closely!
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