Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Mecha_Dude · 09-01-2002, 09:28 AM

I'm a pessimist, because, if you think that the worst possible outcome will happen, and something good happens, you're pleasently suprised.

TooBad · 09-01-2002, 09:44 AM

I'm a pessimist because I always fear the worst and I'm never pleasantly surprised.

Keith Russell · 09-01-2002, 11:57 AM

Greetings:

Both pessimism and optimism are false points-of-view for the same reason; they evade fully half of the equation: if a glass if half empty, it is also half full.

Ignoring one state, to focus on the other, is irrational.

(IMO.)

Keith.

[ September 01, 2002: Message edited by: Keith Russell ]

09-01-2002, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mecha_Dude:
I'm a pessimist, because, if you think that the worst possible outcome will happen, and something good happens, you're pleasently suprised.

I am an optimist who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.

The AntiChris · 09-01-2002, 12:54 PM

I'm a realist but all those other idiots say I'm a pessimist.

Laurentius · 09-01-2002, 03:24 PM

Were we to be able to activate only our reasoning we would all be realists - neither pesimism nor optimism could find their place in our minds; but as it is there is a permanent struggle between our emotions' tendency to take control of us and us trying to control our emotions.

I know the glass has two halves.
I agree it's safe to think that the empty half may get larger tomorrow so that, in case it is the full one that will enlarge, I should allow tomorrow to reserve "unexpected" happy surprises for me - so, I'm often pesimistic on purpose too.
However, constant pesimism could gradually deprive me of my ability of perceiving the full half - so, I'm generally optimistic.
On balance, I guess I'm an oximoronic combination of joy and cynism.

wade-w · 09-01-2002, 04:24 PM

I try not to fall into either trap. Plan for the worst and hope for the best, then deal with whatever really does happen.

[ September 01, 2002: Message edited by: wadew ]

Steven Carr · 09-02-2002, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Keith Russell:
Greetings:

Both pessimism and optimism are false points-of-view for the same reason; they evade fully half of the equation: if a glass if half empty, it is also half full.

Ignoring one state, to focus on the other, is irrational.

(IMO.)

Keith.

[ September 01, 2002: Message edited by: Keith Russell ]

Yeh, somebody who thinks a glass is half-full is an optimist. Somebody who thinks it is half-empty is a pessimist. Somebody who thinks it is time to order another beer is a realist, and somebody who thinks it is full of whisky is a spiritualist.

MadMordigan · 09-02-2002, 02:14 AM

The glass is neither half full nor half empty. It is twice as big as it needs to be.

I guess that makes me a fucking engineer.

Mecha_Dude · 09-02-2002, 10:23 AM

well, it works for me...
But I'm just wierd

09-01-2002, 09:28 AM	#1
Mecha_Dude Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Everywhere... I'm Watching you... Posts: 1,019	An interesting point of view.... I'm a pessimist, because, if you think that the worst possible outcome will happen, and something good happens, you're pleasently suprised.

09-01-2002, 11:57 AM	#3
Keith Russell Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Overland Park, Kansas Posts: 1,336	Greetings: Both pessimism and optimism are false points-of-view for the same reason; they evade fully half of the equation: if a glass if half empty, it is also half full. Ignoring one state, to focus on the other, is irrational. (IMO.) Keith. [ September 01, 2002: Message edited by: Keith Russell ]</p>

09-01-2002, 04:24 PM	#7
wade-w Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Silver City, New Mexico Posts: 1,872	I try not to fall into either trap. Plan for the worst and hope for the best, then deal with whatever really does happen. [ September 01, 2002: Message edited by: wadew ]</p>

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09-01-2002, 09:44 AM	#2
TooBad Regular Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Oblivion, UK Posts: 152	I'm a pessimist because I always fear the worst and I'm never pleasantly surprised.

09-01-2002, 12:54 PM	#5
The AntiChris Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: UK Posts: 5,932	I'm a realist but all those other idiots say I'm a pessimist.

09-01-2002, 03:24 PM	#6
Laurentius Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Lucky Bucky, Oz Posts: 5,645	Were we to be able to activate only our reasoning we would all be realists - neither pesimism nor optimism could find their place in our minds; but as it is there is a permanent struggle between our emotions' tendency to take control of us and us trying to control our emotions. I know the glass has two halves. I agree it's safe to think that the empty half may get larger tomorrow so that, in case it is the full one that will enlarge, I should allow tomorrow to reserve "unexpected" happy surprises for me - so, I'm often pesimistic on purpose too. However, constant pesimism could gradually deprive me of my ability of perceiving the full half - so, I'm generally optimistic. On balance, I guess I'm an oximoronic combination of joy and cynism.

09-02-2002, 02:14 AM	#9
MadMordigan Beloved Deceased Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Vancouver BC Canada Posts: 2,704	The glass is neither half full nor half empty. It is twice as big as it needs to be. I guess that makes me a fucking engineer.

09-02-2002, 10:23 AM	#10
Mecha_Dude Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Everywhere... I'm Watching you... Posts: 1,019	well, it works for me... But I'm just wierd

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