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What Right Do You Have to Not Be Cynical?
Let’s talk real dren here
I fear my recent articles have been fairly negative, perhaps even a little cynical. That’s not what I’m going for. I write with a purpose of contributing something to making the world a better place. With that purpose comes a bit of peril.
Last February, I wrote an article, “What Right Do You Have to Be Happy?” I explored that question in the context of a world that is filled with suffering. I don’t make the mistakes of the Buddhists or the Stoics, so I concluded my article with this statement:
To be happy, to enjoy my life, is not irrational; it is not immoral. It can and should be a solid foundation on which I can and should act to make the world a better place.
Now to the Other Side of This Question
Yes, the world can and should be a better place. It isn’t, though.
We have many problems, few solutions, and worst of all, so few people with the will to work to improve matters. We shouldn’t pretend otherwise. That’s the peril of wanting something better — it isn’t.
I could list some of the many issues we face, and it could be a very long list, but I doubt such a list would be a good use of our time. You can, if you are paying attention, make your own list of what you see as wrong with the world. It’s actually a fruitful exercise.
The point, it seems to me, is that there are connections between caring and cynicism and between having having values and being cynical. Not all cynicism falls under these connections, of course, but it is important to realize that there is a positive form of cynicism.
Positive cynicism? Yes. When you care and are aware of the world you will be disappointed seeing injustices. When you have values and see how society isn’t living up to those values, you can’t help but be cynical about…
