I find that viewing the world cynically is self-reinforcing, and it is a difficult cycle to escape from. Accurate or not, I prefer to think of humans as broadly better than that, without sacrificing pragmatic vigilance for the parts of my life where assumptions of potential innocence aren’t too risky.
I find that viewing the world cynically is self-reinforcing, and it is a difficult cycle to escape from. Accurate or not
I know I cut partially into another sentence but to me its what my big takeaway is. There is an attitude that thinking cynically is bad, even when its accurate, and I don’t see the appeal. It seems to have the mild positive of letting people believe in their fellow man more, but then a bevy of negatives from allowing people to be manipulated more easily.
I prefer to think of humans as broadly better than that, without sacrificing pragmatic vigilance for the parts of my life where assumptions of potential innocence aren’t too risky
What level is that though? I’m struggling to think of a point where it doesn’t pay to accurately have a feeling of what the potential of the other person is.
I’d say, at least for me, I try to remember that “cynical” is not always correct. Under the same idea as “trust, but verify”, I extend the benefit of the doubt, but less so when there is some real risk or cost to me. I lose little to nothing in keeping myself open to the possibility (and hope) that someone is being honest with me, while still looking for the signs that they might not be. Please don’t take any of this to imply blind trust.
I’d say, at least for me, I try to remember that “cynical” is not always correct. Under the same idea as “trust, but verify"
Isn’t that already what cynicism prescribes?
Believing or showing the belief that people are motivated chiefly by base or selfish concerns; skeptical of the motives of others.
Negative or pessimistic, as from world-weariness.
Expressing jaded or scornful skepticism or negativity.
Skeptical of the integrity, sincerity, or motives of others.
It would seem, at least to me, we might not be disagreeing much but instead at a point of not quite getting our ideas across to each other, which is fair because words can have multiple meanings even within the same context.
I would say my point of contention are these 2 sentences
I extend the benefit of the doubt, but less so when there is some real risk or cost to me.
I lose little to nothing in keeping myself open to the possibility (and hope) that someone is being honest with me, while still looking for the signs that they might not be.
As to me, they seem somewhat contradictory, as the first with the benefit of the doubt seems contrary to the second with looking for the signs that they might not be worthy.
I find that viewing the world cynically is self-reinforcing, and it is a difficult cycle to escape from. Accurate or not, I prefer to think of humans as broadly better than that, without sacrificing pragmatic vigilance for the parts of my life where assumptions of potential innocence aren’t too risky.
I know I cut partially into another sentence but to me its what my big takeaway is. There is an attitude that thinking cynically is bad, even when its accurate, and I don’t see the appeal. It seems to have the mild positive of letting people believe in their fellow man more, but then a bevy of negatives from allowing people to be manipulated more easily.
What level is that though? I’m struggling to think of a point where it doesn’t pay to accurately have a feeling of what the potential of the other person is.
I’d say, at least for me, I try to remember that “cynical” is not always correct. Under the same idea as “trust, but verify”, I extend the benefit of the doubt, but less so when there is some real risk or cost to me. I lose little to nothing in keeping myself open to the possibility (and hope) that someone is being honest with me, while still looking for the signs that they might not be. Please don’t take any of this to imply blind trust.
Isn’t that already what cynicism prescribes?
It would seem, at least to me, we might not be disagreeing much but instead at a point of not quite getting our ideas across to each other, which is fair because words can have multiple meanings even within the same context.
I would say my point of contention are these 2 sentences
As to me, they seem somewhat contradictory, as the first with the benefit of the doubt seems contrary to the second with looking for the signs that they might not be worthy.