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Psychology




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Is optimism rational?

But neither should a mere higher tolerance for risk. The gambler hopes against all hope and takes chances that a completely rational being wouldn't if it wanted to maximize its gains. Optimism should not be confused with stupidity. My optimism has not always served me well. Twice I have been hit by cars while cycling because I hoped there won't be any car behind the corner. Since what we think affects how we feel and what we do, I see optimism as a very pragmatic approach to life. Especially if we consider numerous mental and psycho-somatic illnesses caused by stress and negative thinking, rationality of optimism and positive thinking seems to be clear. I think that no person is always pessimistic or always optimistic. Also, I think that there are situations in life without 'opportunity', where optimism is simply irrational. Take for example a person being sent to gas chamber, or an execution chair. A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty. What is optimism? Is optimism rational?





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