Comment on Pessimism is a vital component for any healthy society
OpenStars@piefed.social 1 week ago
I would argue that pessimism, like optimism, is too hobbled by an inability to see clearly the arguments of the other side. Realism seems a better way to go, and if that happens to look bleak then well, that still does not make it actual pessimism.
latenightnoir@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 week ago
But that was my point exactly, Pessimism isn’t meant to fully replace awareness of reality. It, just as optimism, are Hypotheticals at the end of the day, whereas I’d argue Realism, i.e. the ability to see things for what they are is a Concrete. Not even the same conceptual class from where I’m standing.
OpenStars@piefed.social 1 week ago
2+2=4
2+2=3 is too small, i.e. wrong in the direction of being too small
2+2=4 is too wrong in the direction of being too large
Likewise, optimism is wrong in being too hopeful, pessimism is wrong in being too fearful.
What you said though is that:
So being wrong is a vital component of being right? It is an issue with the phrasing. It is not "pessimism" that is necessary, but a willingness to look at the things that may cause us fear - though your phrasing indicated that pessimism itself was the necessary component, which is what I disagreed with.
Rhynoplaz@lemmy.world 1 week ago
I see what you’re saying, but perspective is not equatable to a math equation. An optimist and a pessimist can both have a complete understanding of the facts, but one predicts that things will get better, and the other predicts that things will get worse, and eventually, given enough time, they’ll both be right.
There is no such thing as a realist. That’s just what someone calls themselves when they don’t realize that their perspective is flawed and unique to themselves.
latenightnoir@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 week ago
Sure, if you want to neglect the value of trying to picture a better and a worse.
Honestly, you seem to have a problem with Pessimism itself by default, in which case there’s nothing more I can say here.
And, to answer your question, how does one learn if not by first being wrong about things?