Pessimism, realism, optimism
There are three worldviews that are attitudes we can have towards events in the world. Pessimism sees the glass as empty, realism involves describing the glass as it is, and optimism describes the glass as full.
Imagine a long, winding road stretching out before you, symbolizing the journey of life. Along the way, you are faced with various obstacles and challenges, representing the joys and sorrows we encountered on our journey.
A pessimist, with his clouded and dejected vision, sees the road as an arduous and hopeless path. He focuses on the obstacles that rise before him, such as great mountains and deep valleys, and fears the difficulties he will have to face. The glass for him is always half empty, representing the scarcity of opportunities and the predominance of problems. The philosopher credited as the most pessimist of all time is Arthur Schopenhauer, (1788–1860): German philosopher who is considered one of the founders of philosophical pessimism. (But there are other thinkers who are even more pessimistic.)
Realist, with his clear and objective vision, he observes the road with discernment. It recognizes the obstacles that exist, but also identifies the flat areas and opportunities that arise along the way. The glass for him is half full, half empty, representing the balance between challenges and possibilities. Realism has dozens of meanings in philosophy, so in this case it is more subjective to determine the most realistic philosopher. I believe that having focused on analyzing capitalist reality, a strong candidate for the most realistic is Karl Marx. (1818–1883): German philosopher, economist, and socialist revolutionary who is considered one of the founders of Marxism. He is best known for his theory of class struggle, which asserts that the history of society is the history of struggles between oppressors and oppressed, culminating in the eventual overcoming of capitalism by communism.
Optimistic, with his radiant and hopeful vision, he sees the road as an exciting adventure full of possibilities. He focuses on the flat areas and the opportunities that arise, and believes that he can overcome any obstacle with strength and perseverance. The cup for him is always overflowing, representing the abundance of opportunities and the belief in a promising future. The most optimistic philosopher is Leibniz. Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (1646–1716): German philosopher, mathematician and political scientist who is considered one of the fathers of the Enlightenment. He is best known for his “best of all possible worlds” theory, which states that the universe is the best that God could have created.
There are also intermediate positions between pessimism, realism and optimism. As explained following a venn diagram:
Pessimistic Realism: Leans more towards a negative outlook, but still bases expectations on reality.
Optimistic Realism: Leans more towards a positive vision, remaining anchored in reality.
Only psychological tests are able to adequately determine whether a person is pessimistic, realistic or optimistic. Sometimes the way a person labels themselves may not match the facts. A common phenomenon is pessimists trying to hijack realism.
Science continues to unravel the mysteries behind optimism, realism and pessimism. Although there is no definitive answer about the genetic influence on these worldviews, research indicates that genetics may play an important role, but it is not the only determining factor.
What science already knows:
• Genes and personality: studies with twins and families have identified a moderate heritability of personality traits such as neuroticism and extraversion, which may be related to pessimism and optimism.
• Influence of epigenetics: epigenetics studies how the environment and experiences can modify the expression of genes. Factors such as stress, trauma, and exposure to positivity can influence the development of pessimistic or optimistic tendencies, even in individuals with a genetic predisposition.
The brain and emotions: Science has mapped areas of the brain related to processing emotions such as the amygdala, hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Differences in activity in these areas can be associated with pessimistic or optimistic trends.
• Cultural and social influences: the culture and social environment in which we live also shape our worldview, influencing how we interpret events and experiences.
Although science has made progress, there is a long way to go, which science still seeks:
• Specific genes: The search for specific genes that influence optimism and pessimism is still ongoing.
• Interaction between genes and environment: Understanding how genetics interact with the environment to shape these worldviews is crucial to understanding individual differences.
• Neural mechanisms: Uncovering the neural mechanisms that underpin optimism and pessimism could lead to new interventions to promote mental well-being.
The Journey Continues:
The choice of perspective we adopt shapes our experience on the road of life. Pessimism can lead us to discouragement and inaction, while realism allows us to navigate challenges with caution and planning. Optimism inspires us to move forward with enthusiasm and seek solutions to the problems we encounter.
The road of life is long and winding, and each curve reveals new landscapes and challenges. Regardless of the perspective you choose, the important thing is to move forward with determination and hope, always seeking the best that life has to offer.
