Philosophy Now Forum

What leads to pessimism? What leads to optimism? Is it just luck?

Jaded Sage wrote:What leads to pessimism? What leads to optimism? Is it just luck?

Needing new glasses.

Worth a look at a show called 'Genetic Me'. Essentially, one gets from it that there are people who thrive in seemingly good times, whilst others don't. But in bad times, the roles are reversed, the theory being that there will always be one set to carry on, in an evolutionary damage control to the whole.

Fascinating, Mr. DP. Gracias.

Perhaps the words that you used to hear in your childhood.

If your family and friends used to say that things would become good then you got used to hoping for the best.
If your family and friends were grumpy and negative people then you got used to doubting and developed no confidence.

That's sorta what I suspected as well. A combination of nature and nurture. If that is so, then isn't it possible that we could change a pessimist into an optimist?

How about a little experiment with oneself, Jady ?

If you are a pessimist start spending time with optimists and see what happens.
If you are an optimist start spending time with pessimists and see what happens.

And don´t forget to tell us all about it. We are dying to know ...

But, what if my pessimism actually makes me happy? Would you want an unhappy optimist? And no, I'm not kidding.

That´s interesting.

Could you give us more details ?
It would make us more at peace with ourselves if we feel happy and are inclined to feel pessimistic regarding certain aspects of our lives.

Is it the worst case scenario strategy ?

I will probably get cancer soon. So what ? Today I am still alive and kicking, let me rush to XY while I can still do it.

It could be reumatism instead of cancer.
It has been a few days now that I have been waking up with a slightly hurting joint in one finger.

duszek wrote:How about a little experiment with oneself, Jady ?

If you are a pessimist start spending time with optimists and see what happens.
If you are an optimist start spending time with pessimists and see what happens.

And don´t forget to tell us all about it. We are dying to know ...

I'm an optimist. There's no way I'm hanging around pessimists more than I have to. But I have heard that we become like our company from a few great thinkers.

Dalek Prime wrote:But, what if my pessimism actually makes me happy? Would you want an unhappy optimist? And no, I'm not kidding.

I don't see how that's possible unless you're an exceptional sadomasochist or suffer exceptionally from clinical depression. At the end of the day, it is indeed about happiness. But I don't think those exceptions really exist.

Can an optimist be unhappy (at times) ?

If a person likes forseeing doom and destruction and enjoys it even when it happens is he a pervert ?

duszek wrote:Can an optimist be unhappy (at times) ?

Yeah, but not as a result or their optimism.

Happiness is not synonymous with optimism. Optimism and pessimism are biases. Happiness (endorphin groove) is something different.