2007-03-29 13:08:21 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
it's not so much being either or, but rather finding the balance in between.
I know I'm probably butchering it, but like the Buddhist saying goes: "A guitar string too tight will snap, but too loose and it will make no sound. You have to find that point in between that will let it serve it's purpose properly..." or something like that...
2007-03-29 13:18:46 · answer #1 · answered by Maria B. 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Optimism is best. This is a perspective world and all we have is what we take in through our senses. While it is of importance that we're on the same relative playing field as the world around us, there's no reason why one shouldn't be able to take the most joy and happiness out of a situation as physically possible. What other meaning is there to anything if you don't have joy? There could be none. Be clear, be concise, be thorough, know your facts and get information, but at the end of the day, if you'll take a poll, no matter how right and realistic you think you're being, you'll find there isn't a single one who wants to hear you complain about how things are. You'd want solutions, not constant assessment of the problem.
2007-03-29 17:22:51 · answer #2 · answered by Answerer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you ask an optimist, he'll tell you that optimism is the best of all possible attitudes. If you ask a pessimist, he'll tell you that nothing he does works anyway, so why should pessimism be any different? They are, however, BOTH wrong.
Either viewpoint is intrinsically warped. You are looking at everything with a built-in slant, and asking which one is better is a lot like shopping around for mental illnesses.
The best choice is to see things as they ARE, not as they aren't!
2007-03-29 13:13:56 · answer #3 · answered by Doctor Why 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
optimistic- no matter how bad or crap life becomes or gets, the important thing is to be positive and to realise that there are certain things that are within your reach and of which are can be achieved. focus on what you need to do and if and when things go wrong, make sure that the neccessary steps are taken, in order to make sure that the problem is eventually resolved in the end. we all experience our share of highs as well as lows during our lives, but it's the highs which are the most treasured and of which live on in our memories
2007-03-30 12:00:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
To keep things in balance is best... but.. that being said...
-Undue pessimism and doubt is contagious and drains others of energy.
-False hope when all is lost can lead to wasted effort, energy and even lives. (It's tempting to make a political statement here)
But when there is a glimmer of hope or when things are seemingly hanging in the balance: optimists are needed and pessimism is like poison.
signed,
half-full in a pinch
2007-03-29 14:06:30 · answer #5 · answered by bedros 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's better to be optimistic.
If you have a perpetually pessimistic outlook you run the risk of bringing down upon yourself a whole series of negative "self-fulfilling prophesies."
But if you are generally optimistic, your "self-fulfilling prophesies" are likely to be positive. So, optimism is much more likely to work in your favor.
2007-03-29 13:21:28 · answer #6 · answered by clicksqueek 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's better to be more optimistic but still aware things could go wrong.
I always say, expect the best but prepare for the worst.
2007-03-29 13:20:21 · answer #7 · answered by K 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oh optimistic soley ecause regardless of the outcome of any situation whether it is a good or bad outcome you can always believe or have faith that something better is just around the corner.
2007-03-29 13:12:15 · answer #8 · answered by kissaled 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pessimism: Expect the worst, be pleased with anything short of that.
There are those who say being optimistic is a healthier lifestyle...
But if you expect the worst and get the best, and then it's even better, no?
2007-03-29 13:17:51 · answer #9 · answered by It's Kippah, Kippah the dawg 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
grammatically, and by definition - it is necessary that optimism is "better" than "pessimism"
but i know what you mean -- and i would hold to optimism all day.
the notion that both are somehow "wrong" because they distort your view of reality is a confused notion, i would think though - since there's no alternative to a slanted view anyways. what, exactly, is in the middle? something called "realism"? true realism isn't very well possible either, so we might as well pick optimism for it's ontological (and practical!) superiority!
2007-03-29 13:48:48 · answer #10 · answered by Steve C 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋