It could be my individual case of being depressed; but, that begs the question in my case whether the depression came first and then pessimism followed. — Shawn
I would think pessimism came after adverse circumstances. — Andrew4Handel
I have not met a pessimistic child myself so it seems like it is not a disposition. — Andrew4Handel
I.e. begins as a disposition and maybe develops into a 'reflective' outlook / stance. Other old posts on 'pessimism', etc ...Pessimism ... simply a rationalization (à la hypochondria) for coping with ineluctable frustrations (i.e. facticity). — 180 Proof
I have not met a pessimistic child myself so it seems like it is not a disposition. — Andrew4Handel
How does one adopt the matureness of philosophical pessimism without falling for the emotional side of pessimism with regards to emotional resignation, sadness, and lack? I — Shawn
Where's the demarcation between becoming an adult and being a child? The latter is regulated by feelings (impulses) and the former by reasons (judgment). One may accompany the other but I don't think they entail each other.Yes, where are we to demarcate between philosophical pessimism, which isn't a reflexive attitude, or disposition and the generic pessimism of resignation or lack that one feels in life? — Shawn
Why should one try? What's wrong with resignation and sadness?
I hate Smile Culture! — Vera Mont
I don't thlnk "want" has anything to do with this. — 180 Proof
There's middle-ground. — Heracloitus
How does one adopt the matureness of philosophical pessimism without falling for the emotional side of pessimism with regards to emotional resignation, sadness, and lack? I'm sure you can do it because I have read about cheerful pessimists and joyful absurdists like Cioran or Schopenhauer or Camus... — Shawn
Zapffe's view is that humans are born with an overdeveloped skill (understanding, self-knowledge) which does not fit into nature's design. The human craving for justification on matters such as life and death cannot be satisfied, hence humanity has a need that nature cannot satisfy. The tragedy, following this theory, is that humans spend all their time trying not to be human. The human being, therefore, is a paradox. — schopenhauer1
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