Pessimisme er noget trist noget. Alting kan altid blive endnu vAerre; ogsa selv om tilvAerelsen allerede er ganske nederdrAegtig. I sortseerens livslede er der ikke megen opmuntring at hente. Men maske er pessimisme slet ikke sa slem, som vi gor den? Ifolge Per Jepsen, filosofisk lyseslukker ved Aarhus Universitet, bor vi faktisk glAede os over evnen til at finde haret i suppen. Uden den risikerer vi at ende som ukritiske jubeloptimister, for hvem livet er lutter lagkage. Vi skal vove at odelAegge den gode stemning for at fa oje pa alt det, der altid kan blive lidt bedre.
Yesterday, I read about Positive Psychology in this series, today about pessimism. And while the first book argued for the benefits of having a positive mindset, this one argues for not leaving pessimism behind. Pessimism is not only a part of our cultural and philosophical history, it is also a realistic response to parts of our existence (ie. We are all going to die, we are all going to experience loss, we are all alone, we hurt each other, we don’t learn from history). But the author’s main point is that life is as it is, it’s not heaven on earth or hell on earth - it’s just earth on earth. And it could be worse! It is okay to not always be optimistic, although you of course shouldn’t wallow in pessimism either. It is important to teach children to be able to also express their negative feelings as criticism is part of living in a healthy democracy. It is up to each individual to create meaning, and although life can be terrible, it is also beautiful. Another interesting read in this series, although it is a bit sad if pessimism needs to be defended for it not to be eliminated by positivity.
God tænke pause. Gad godt have læst en længere bog om emnet! Tankevækkende, pessimistisk livsbekræftende! Dejlig at læse, selvom om det også gjorde lidt ondt: Viljen og lidelsen, meningen og skønheden, og det at det kunne værre være! Love it!
Slutningen var meget fin og sød, men ellers var jeg egentlig uenig med rigtig mange ting i den her bog, og synes i det hele taget det er et meget svagt forsvar for pessimismen.