Taking Pessimism Seriously

Question 1

What is pessimism?

Answer 1

Can describe negative attitudes such as frustration or hopeless

Question 2

Philosophical pessimism

Answer 2

A judgement rather than a mood

Question 3

Mistakes about pessimism

Answer 3

People often assume pessimism means expecting everything to get worse all the time or believing life is always going to be bad but philosophical pessimism is a reasoned judgement about the nature of life itself

Question 4

Dukkha

Answer 4

Buddhist teaching about how life is ruled by attachments and desires, which leads to suffering

Question 5

Three Ms that make life inherently bad:

Answer 5

• Mortality - inevitably of death
• Meaninglessness - argument that life lacks purpose
• Miseries - everyday pains of grief, disappointment

Question 6

Anti-natalism

Answer 6

The belief that bringing new life into the world is morally wrong because of the suffering it entails

Question 7

Meliorism

Answer 7

The belief that human life can improve, though not necessarily due to human efforts

Question 8

Misanthropy

Answer 8

Hatred or distrust of humankind

Question 9

Transhumanism

Answer 9

The belief in using technology to enhance human capabilities and transcend biological limitations