Products related to Pessimism:
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Cosmic Pessimism
“We’re doomed.” So begins the work of the philosopher whose unabashed and aphoristic indictments of the human condition have been cropping up recently in popular culture.Today we find ourselves in an increasingly inhospitable world that is, at the same time, starkly indifferent to our species-specific hopes, desires, and disappointments.In the Anthropocene, pessimism is felt everywhere but rarely given its proper place.Though pessimism may be, as Eugene Thacker says, the lowest form of philosophy, it may also contain an enigma central to understanding the horizon of the human.Written in a series of fragments, aphorisms, and prose poems, Thacker’s Cosmic Pessimism explores the varieties of pessimism and its often-conflicted relation to philosophy. “Crying, laughing, sleeping—what other responses are adequate to a life that is so indifferent?”
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Pessimism - Bailey
First Published in 1988. Pessimism is a peculiar idea. It is either seen as a psychological problem or as a metaphysical issue, but in neither sense is it treated as useful or illuminating or in any way relevant to our understanding of the world.It is the thesis of this book that pessimism and optimism are unavoidable kinds of social judgment of the future which we all display and act upon.
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Hopeful Pessimism
Why “hopeful pessimism” is not a contradiction in terms but a powerful source of moral and political commitmentThe climate debate is rife with calls for optimism.While temperatures rise and disasters intensify, we are asked to maintain optimism and hope, as if the real threat is pessimism and despair.In this erudite and engaging book, Mara van der Lugt argues that this is a mistake: crude optimism can no longer be a virtue in a breaking world, and may well prove to be our besetting vice.In an age of climate change and ecological devastation, the virtue we need is hopeful pessimism. Drawing on thinkers that range from J.R.R.Tolkien and Mary Shelley to Albert Camus and Jonathan Lear, van der Lugt invites us to rethink what we thought we knew about optimism and pessimism, hope and despair, activism and grief.She shows that pessimism is closely linked to a tradition of moral and political activism, and offers a different way to think about pessimism: not as synonymous with despair but as compatible with hope.Gently yet fiercely, van der Lugt argues that what we need to avoid is not pessimism but fatalism or self-serving resignation.Pessimism does not imply the loss of courage or the lack of a desire to strive for a better world; on the contrary, these are the very gifts that pessimism can bestow. What Hopeful Pessimism asks instead is that we strive for change without certainties, without expecting anything from our efforts other than the knowledge that we have done what we are called upon to do as moral agents in a time of change.
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Infinite Resignation : On Pessimism
The author of the contemporary classic, In the Dust of This Planet, is back with another raw and unsettling look at the human condition.Comprised of aphorisms, fragments, and observations both philosophical and personal, Thacker’s new book traces the contours of pessimism, caught as it often is between a philosophical position and a bad attitude.Reflecting on the universe’s “looming abyss of indifference,” Thacker explores the pessimism of a range of philosophers, from the well-known (Nietzsche, Schopenhauer, Camus), to the lesser-known (E.M.Cioran, Lev Shestov, Miguel de Unamuno). Readers will find food for thought in Thacker’s handling of a range of themes in Christianity and Buddhism, as well as his engagement with literary figures (from Dostoevsky to Thomas Bernhard, Osamu Dazai, and Fernando Pessoa), whose pessimism about the world both inspires and depresses Thacker.By turns melancholic, misanthropic, and darkly funny, (“Birth is a metaphysical injury — healing takes time — the span of one's life”), many will find Infinite Resignation a welcome antidote to the exuberant imbecility of our times.
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Pessimism : Philosophy, Ethic, Spirit
Pessimism claims an impressive following--from Rousseau, Schopenhauer, and Nietzsche, to Freud, Camus, and Foucault.Yet "pessimist" remains a term of abuse--an accusation of a bad attitude--or the diagnosis of an unhappy psychological state.Pessimism is thought of as an exclusively negative stance that inevitably leads to resignation or despair.Even when pessimism looks like utter truth, we are told that it makes the worst of a bad situation.Bad for the individual, worse for the species--who would actually counsel pessimism?Joshua Foa Dienstag does. In Pessimism, he challenges the received wisdom about pessimism, arguing that there is an unrecognized yet coherent and vibrant pessimistic philosophical tradition.More than that, he argues that pessimistic thought may provide a critically needed alternative to the increasingly untenable progressivist ideas that have dominated thinking about politics throughout the modern period.Laying out powerful grounds for pessimism's claim that progress is not an enduring feature of human history, Dienstag argues that political theory must begin from this predicament. He persuasively shows that pessimism has been--and can again be--an energizing and even liberating philosophy, an ethic of radical possibility and not just a criticism of faith.The goal--of both the pessimistic spirit and of this fascinating account of pessimism--is not to depress us, but to edify us about our condition and to fortify us for life in a disordered and disenchanted universe.
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The Uses of Pessimism
Scruton argues that the tragedies and disasters of the history of the European continent have been the consequences of a false optimism and the fallacies that derive from it.In place of these fallacies, Scruton mounts a passionate defence of both civil society and freedom.He shows that the true legacy of European civilisation is not the false idealisms that have almost destroyed it - in the shapes of Nazism, fascism and communism - but the culture of forgiveness and irony which we must now protect from those whom it offends.The Uses of Pessimism is a passionate plea for reason and responsibility, written at a time of profound change.
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Lacan Noir : Lacan and Afro-pessimism
This book explores how Jacques Lacan has influenced Black Studies from the 1950s to the present day, and in turn how a Black Studies framework challenges the topographies of Lacanianism in its understanding of race.David Marriott examines how a contemporary Black Studies perspective might respond to the psychoanalysis of race by taking advantage of the recent revitalization of Lacanianism in its speculative, metaphysical form.While the philosophical side of the debate makes a plea for a new universalism, this book proposes a Lacanian reassessment of the notion of race, a notion distinct from culture, language, religion, and identity.It argues that it is possible to re-establish the theoretical relation between capitalism, anti-blackness, and colonialism, by reassessing the links between Lacanian psychoanalysis and three main domains of black inquiry: mastery, knowledge, and embodiment.The book offers a strikingly original rereading of the place of Lacan in both Fanon Studies and Afro-pessimism.It will appeal to students and scholars of Black Studies, Cultural Studies, Critical Theory and Philosophy.
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Pessimism, Quietism and Nature as Refuge
How do we, as individuals, accommodate a pessimistic and misanthropic view of the world?If the human condition is impossible to ameliorate, then how should we live?How do we bring about the wellbeing and happiness we seek in the face of such overwhelming evidence that our condition is and will remain very bad indeed and owes significantly to our own entrenched failings?In this thoughtful and insightful book the philosopher David E.Cooper explores this fundamental dilemma. He rejects an activist commitment to radical improvement of the human condition, and instead advocates quietism as a way to live as well and as happily as we can.This quietist position, which draws on Buddhist and Daoist ideas as well as those from western philosophy, is supplemented by finding refuge from the everyday human world in a "place" both "other" and "better" than that world.Such places of refuge, Cooper argues, are best found in natural environments. Refuge in nature, whether a garden or a wilderness, cultivates an attunement to, or a sense of, the way of things, and thereby invites assurance of being "in the truth" and the enjoyment that such assurance fosters.The quietist who finds refuge in nature lives as well as and as happily as anyone can do who accepts the negative verdict on the human condition.
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What is pessimism?
Pessimism is a state of mind where one tends to focus on the negative aspects of situations, expecting the worst possible outcome. It involves a general feeling of hopelessness, cynicism, and a belief that things will not turn out well. Pessimism can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, and a lack of motivation to take action or make positive changes. It is important to balance a realistic outlook with optimism to maintain a healthy mindset.
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Is pessimism a weakness?
Pessimism can be seen as a weakness when it leads to a lack of motivation, a negative outlook on life, and a reluctance to take risks or pursue opportunities. However, it can also be a strength when it leads to cautious decision-making, realistic expectations, and a preparedness for potential challenges. It's important to strike a balance between optimism and pessimism, using the strengths of both to navigate life's ups and downs. Ultimately, whether pessimism is a weakness or a strength depends on how it is managed and utilized in different situations.
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Is pessimism something bad?
Pessimism can be seen as a negative trait because it often involves a focus on the negative aspects of a situation and a lack of hope for the future. However, it can also be a realistic and pragmatic approach to life, as it involves being prepared for potential challenges and setbacks. It becomes problematic when it leads to a lack of motivation, a defeatist attitude, and an inability to see potential opportunities. Ultimately, it's important to strike a balance between being realistic about potential obstacles and maintaining a positive outlook on life.
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Are pessimism and optimism nihilism?
Pessimism and optimism are not necessarily nihilism. Pessimism is the belief that the world is inherently negative and that things will not improve, while optimism is the belief that things will ultimately work out for the best. Nihilism, on the other hand, is the belief that life is meaningless and that there are no inherent values or truths. While pessimism and optimism may influence one's perspective on life, they do not necessarily equate to a belief in nihilism.
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Can one get rid of pessimism?
Yes, it is possible to overcome pessimism with effort and determination. By practicing positive thinking, challenging negative thoughts, and focusing on solutions rather than problems, one can gradually shift their mindset towards a more optimistic outlook. Seeking support from friends, family, or a mental health professional can also be beneficial in overcoming pessimism and developing a more positive mindset. It may take time and consistent effort, but with the right strategies and support, it is possible to reduce pessimism and cultivate a more optimistic perspective.
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What makes more sense: optimism or pessimism?
Optimism makes more sense because it allows for a positive outlook on life and the future. Optimistic individuals are more likely to take risks, pursue opportunities, and overcome challenges with a hopeful attitude. Pessimism, on the other hand, can lead to a defeatist mindset and hinder personal growth and success. While it's important to be realistic and acknowledge potential obstacles, maintaining an optimistic perspective can lead to greater resilience and overall well-being.
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What do the terms optimism and pessimism mean?
Optimism refers to a positive outlook or belief that things will turn out well in the future. It involves having hope and confidence in favorable outcomes. On the other hand, pessimism is a negative outlook or belief that things will not go well. It involves expecting the worst possible outcome and having a lack of faith in positive results.
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What is the difference between skepticism and pessimism?
Skepticism is a questioning attitude towards knowledge, beliefs, or claims, where one doubts the validity or truth of something until sufficient evidence is provided. Pessimism, on the other hand, is a negative outlook or belief that things will turn out badly or that the worst will happen. While skepticism involves a critical evaluation of information, pessimism is more about expecting negative outcomes.
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