I think Voltaire does bring up a good point about optimism. Everyone needs to be somewhat unsatisfied with their present situations or else no one will strive to reach any goals and further themselves. However, I think the same consequence applies to the opposite of optimism, pessimism, as well. If people believe that their lives are terrible and can never be changed, they will remain passive. I think it's interesting to consider the mix of optimism and pessimism people must hold in order to further themselves. You have to be unsatisfied with your current situation but still have hope in your ability to change your future.
Leibniz
Pope
1 comment:
Maansi you bring up some pretty interesting points. Like you said, when you think about it pessimism and optimism both lead to passiveness in people's lives. Optimism leads people to believe that their world is perfect and there is nothing you can do to change it. So they are less likely to go out in the world and try to make a change. Pessimists believe that the world or their situation is horrible and there is nothing you can do to change it also. Pessimists are likely to see no reason to try to make their world or situation better if they believe it cannot be made better. It is quite interesting how two completely opposite thoughts and views can lead to practically the same outcome.
Post a Comment