2min chapter

Intelligence Squared cover image

Steven Pinker and David Runciman on Optimism, Enlightenment and Progress PART 1

Intelligence Squared

CHAPTER

The Fatalism of Optimism

Both optimism and pessimism can be, and in some ways inherently are forms of fatalism. We've never had a society or a community where people have been genuinely fully aware of the progress that's been made. I think you use the Hans Rosling phrase, possibleism or to be a possibleist. Yes, as a way the future needs to be open, however you use the data from the past. And of course, the future is open. It's going to depend more on the past.

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