Hermitix
Living Well with Pessimism with Joseph Acquisto
Jan 3, 2024
Joseph Acquisto, Professor of French at the University of Vermont, discusses his book on pessimism in 19th century France. They explore the concept of pessimism, the relevance of Schopenhauer's framework, living in a pessimistic worldview, the role of poetry in addressing suffering, questioning society's view, and his future projects.
55:50
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Quick takeaways
- Pessimism challenges oversimplistic and unjustifiably optimistic views, embracing the reality of human suffering and injustice.
- Pessimism allows for critical reflection, questioning societal values, and addressing social issues and environmental challenges.
Deep dives
Pessimism as an Epistemological Question
Pessimism is often misunderstood as a notion that everything will go badly, but it is actually a way of looking at the world with lucidity. It challenges the oversimplistic and unjustifiably optimistic views and acknowledges the reality of human suffering and injustice. By questioning what we can know and affirm based on what we know, pessimism becomes an epistemological question. The exploration of pessimism in non-fiction and fictional texts, particularly in literature, allows for a deeper understanding of the world through narrative and storytelling.
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