Cynicism is characterized as a belief that humanity is primarily greedy, selfish, and dishonest, leading to an overarching distrust in people and their motives. This distrust manifests as a reluctance to be vulnerable or to engage with others meaningfully, viewing trust as a social gamble. In contrast, skepticism is not a worldview but rather a mindset that embraces openness to new ideas and challenges assumptions. While cynics selectively seek out evidence that supports their negative perspective on humanity, skeptics act more like scientists, testing assumptions and seeking data to form a more flexible understanding. The distinction lies in cynicism's negative theorizing compared to skepticism's constructive inquiry and adaptability, highlighting a significant difference in approach and mentality towards others and the world.
It’s hard to stay hopeful these days. Stanford professor Jamil Zaki has been studying the incredible depth of human kindness for decades, but even he gives in to cynicism when he doubts our ability to be civil and cooperative.
That’s a shame - because shedding cynicism and grasping hope will make you happier and healthier. Jamil and Dr Laurie Santos look at the scientific evidence showing that we should be more trusting of other people and optimistic about our facility to work together.
Jamil's book Hope for Cynics: The Surprising Science of Human Goodness is out now.
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