How can the glass be 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? It's the same either way..............?

Question

I've always heard people refer to their lives as being like a glass half empty or a glass half full..... it would be the same either way, so why would it really make a difference?

Answer 1

Britt you make an excellent point. Most people try to simplify and say it reveals an opitimism or a pessimist. But although very rare there are a few of us who are neither optimists or pessimists but pragmatists.

I am a pragmatist and I say it does not matter whether the glass is half full or half empty. What really matters is how well you use that portion in the glass that you are given.

A person of great talent who is lazy and ineffective and does not use his talent is of no use to anyone. On the other hand a person of just average talent who tries hard, uses his average talent to maximum ability is going to be a happy person and will bring great benefit to his family and to our society.

This line of reasoning drives the shrinks nuts but I can never get any of them to even attempt to prove me wrong because deep down they know I am right on in my thinking.

Answer 2

If it's half full, then you are considered an optimist. If you think it's half empty, then you are considered a pessimist. If you don't know what that means, I'm sorry for you. Draw a picture? If it's half empty, then you have a negative personality. And if it's half full, then you have a positive outlook on life.

Answer 3

I don't think it is proper to say half empty or half full. An 8 ounce container that has less than 8 ounces has 6 ounces or whatever of liquid in it. A grammar book or maybe a dictionary will explain it. I don't remember for sure exactly how it is explained. I think it might be ok to say nearly empty or almost full.

Answer 4

Of course, on the face of it, you are correct. It's a comment on examining the focus of your life, though.

If you primarily consider the good things you have, in this case water, then you are a positive thinker, or an optimist.

If you primarily consider the things that are missing from your life, in this case the empty space in the glass, then you are a negative thinker, or a pessimist.

If you consider the whole situation (as you have) and see both of these aspects as pertinent to your evalution of your life, then you are striving for more objectivity, and are a realist.

Answer 5

It depends on your outlook on the way things go in your life. Most people will choose one way to be (pessimist or optimist), but once in a very rare occasion, someone will come along who is raised in an environment where both sides are very active and neither is a majority, and this person in question will grow up to look at BOTH sides of things.
If you're fool enough to say no such person exists, well, you just read one such persons reply....

Answer 6

Literally, of course, you are correct. This aphorism refers to the Dao concept of perspective Vs reality. Essentially, nothing ever changes but perspective, which is what dictates the human experience. On Monday Bob and Glenda are deeply in love - and they part company very happily. On Tuesday, Bob finds out that Glenda had an abortion and hates her for taking a life. In reality, nothing has changed - but his perspective changes.

Answer 7

i always see it as 1/2 full..i dun say it 1/2 empty..its depend on the character of the person who sees it..
it does make difference..

Answer 8

i agree with the third answer.......he's right.......

half empty>>>>>>>>pessimist

half full>>>>>>>>>>>optimist

it's just the way it is and it's not the same.......

Answer 9

if its only half full the glass is obviously too big!

Answer 10

That's a typical "blonde" question