Can Optimism Be Self Destructive?

Question

OPTIMISM:
1 : a doctrine that this world is the best possible world
2 : an inclination to put the most favorable construction upon actions and events or to anticipate the best possible outcome

Answer 1

One thing is optimism which is the source of strength when the future seems uncertain and another thing is wishfull thinking.

You must work hard to get what you want because no one will do it for you. And while doing it always keep a positive attitude and hope for the best... be optimistic. Good things happen when you do it.
They say there is no such thing as a pessimist. That it is just and optimist with a firm grip on reality. Well even reality can be misleading so do not take this statement to seriously but you must know or at least have and idea of the odds of accomplishing what you are trying.

There is no stopping a firm and strong will once it has been put in motion.

Back to your question the answer is: No it can not be self destructive. You just have to know what you want, how to get it and the odds at stake and just go and do it with optimism.

Answer 2

I will answer the question in two parts.
The first answer will be regarding the
objectivity of optimism and the second
answer will be regarding the subjectivity
of optimism.

Objectively speaking, I am interpreting your
question to mean can optimism be self
destructive to itself. In other words, is
optimistic conceptualization rational when
considered apart from the optimist.
In my opinion, objectively, optimism
is a requisite for successful rationality;
it absolutely is not self-destructive.
All basis for evaluation of thought
depends on the optimistic validity
of the thoughts which were validated
before it; continuity of validation.
Therefore, pessimism of conceptualization
questions all validity, and eliminates
the foundation for building a stable
continuity. An individual who implements
an optimistic continuity(a pessimist
can implement optimistic continuity)
does themself a favor by living in the
practical moment. Individuals with
confidence and a high self-esteem
often have optimistic continuity regardless
of their particular belief system. Generally
speaking, the more optimistic continuity
the more likely each new thought will
be valid; due to the valid substance of
the checks and balances.

Subjectively speaking, I am interpreting
your question to mean, is the optimist
self-destructive by being optimistic.
In my opinion, subjectively, optimism
is a sort of transient which depends on
contingency of the subject; it depends
on the subject whether it is self-destructive.
The depending factor can be considered
by two situations of the objective optimism
previously described. Can the individual
implement conceptual optimism and
be self-destructive. Yes. If the optimistic
continuity is not the individual's continuity.
In other words, an individual who develops
individual continuity in alignment with
optimistic continuity is not self-destructive
because they have regard for themself.
However, if that non-self-destructive
individual shares their optimistic
continuity with another individual and
that other individual blindly accepts the
concepts then the other individual has
implemented optimistic continuity, but
it is not their own. Therefore, the other
individual has self-destructed their
beliefs, so that individual was optimistic,
but not optimistic of themself, of their
subjective experience.

Good question.
I would have missed out if I didn't
receive a tip from a thoughtful
contact. Thank you Psychic Cat.

Answer 3

No. Optimism is a positive frame of mind, expecting things to "work out," a determined attempt to look on the "bright side." It's a very healthy attitude that's far more likely to be open to alternatives & to pursue them--than it's antithesis, pessimism, expecting results to be bad. Some people totally misinterpret the word--& think of it rather like blind faith, happy-go-lucky & everything will be wonderful without any effort, or--as being hopeful & even fanciful. (I'm optimistic, thus I can leap over tall buildings.) But that is NOT optimisim. Without any of these misinterpretations or even a hint of them optimism cannot in & of itself be destructive.

Edit: There is no such thing as "hopeless" optimism! A conundrum--at best a riddle, at worst, inane.
Did I miss something in this question? Did it invite excesses, "mutations" of the word? Euclid, I don't think you're speaking of optimism at all, but rather the destructive consequences of a passionate "belief." Alex, if anything, optimisim is not based on fear--just the opposite. How would the attitude of optimism cause that which is not realistic?

Answer 4

Yes, and more than self destructive.

I don't want to fly in a plane, or cross bridge, that was designed, built or maintained by optimists.

Or at least where optimism isn't balanced by other qualities.

Some gamblers might provide straightforward examples where hope and optimism beyond a realistic assessment can lead to disaster.

Answer 5

In the book Candide, Candide's teacher Dr. Pangloss is an example of hopeless optimism, believing that he is in "The best of all possible worlds." but throughout the book, Pangloss gets hanged, given an autopsy while he's still alive, traded to a slave barge, and God knows what else. In the end, he ends up living with Candide still preaching his theory, even though he doesn't really believe it. But it's Candide who makes the point, "Sometimes, we need to tend our gardens," meaning that it's good enough to have an outlook on life, but it takes hard work to get your life to the way you want it.

Answer 6

Yes. Sometimes you become so focused in the positive that you lose a realistic view on the situation.
ie. a woman whose boyfriend is an alcoholic. She's optimistic saying he'll stop. But the reality is he has a problem.
This work out best if you look at it from a realistic point of view.

Answer 7

I think you are better off with hope.
Optimism leaves us with out a sense of reality.
Hope has a built in fail safe, it is called ambition and planing. Hope is what you have after you have covered all the bases.

Optimism is a ridiculous kind of blind faith as stupid as pessimism.

Answer 8

Of course....look at all the early Christians who died willingly for Jesus....Or all the terrorist bombers in the world today...or try the Jehovah witnesses who don't believe in giving blood even if its for one of their children. How about the Kamikaze pilots in WW II ? All those people were or are optimistic about a better future in Heaven. Man....is this the world I'm really living in ?

Answer 9

Yes, but it can also be "Self Empowering". The trick is figuring out when optimism turns to arrogance. There must be a level where you should either be able to tell when you can succeed and when you must tell yourself "fool, what were you thinkin?"

Answer 10

i dont think so, because optimist see the positive in everything, and it is known that the thought process really makes a difference with life. although i suppose if a person unrealistically takes the optimistic stand, it could be. Like if someone thinks they can walk on water or fly or something.