Q&A: Philosophical Proofs for Optimism
Philosophical Proofs for Optimism
Question
Hello Rabbi Abraham,
As part of my psychology studies, they teach us how healthy it is to be optimistic. I very much want to believe in optimism, but in my personal experience I don’t see a world that warrants an optimistic approach. Does the Rabbi know of any Western philosophical research on optimism that proves the world really does justify an optimistic outlook, and that this isn’t just an illusion they sell us so we’ll feel good?
I searched online and found only Leibniz’s treatment of it (he concluded that this is “the best of all possible worlds” based on the goodness of God). I would be grateful for the Rabbi’s help.
Thank you very much
Answer
Optimism is not connected to facts but to one’s attitude toward them. A person can see the very same objective situation in two completely different ways. Reuven will be optimistic and Shimon will not. Therefore, the question of whether to be optimistic (to the extent that it is in your control; ask your lecturers about that) does not necessarily derive from an assessment of facts in the world, and it is certainly worthwhile to adopt an optimistic outlook for the sake of a better life. Optimism does not mean that X will happen if, in your judgment, it will not happen. Rather, it means taking it more lightly and not seeing it as a disaster. And as our sages said (Monty Python, there, there): always look at the bright side of life.
Discussion on Answer
See Faith and Trust by our master the Hazon Ish, and you’ll lose your optimism.
Moshe, as part of my studies I encounter people suffering from schizophrenia and depression, and I don’t see anything good there on the experiential level. The fact that everything is for the good does not cancel out the fact that there is evil in the world.
So from that point of view, the question is not funny at all.
Funny question—after all, someone who believes knows that the world has a purpose and that everything is for the good.
So if that’s the case, why not be optimistic?!