Cynicism

[Angry Young Man]

Should I be not cynical (as I am), but optimistic because Marxism is the future of mankind?
My teacher told me that I should be an optimist because of my political beliefs.
Surely cynicism plays a part in Marxism, being cynical of the bourgeoisie, of capitalism, and of the state.
How can I reconcile cynicism with Marxism?
x x

[bezdomni]

Cynicism is more a volition than a philosophy.

[apathy maybe]

It is perfectly acceptable to be a cynic about certain thing and still be a optimist more generally. It is also perfectly possible that you desire a better world, but are pessimistic about it ever coming about. I am cynical when it comes to believing politicians, I am also a bit pessimistic about the state of the world, but I am still an anarchist.

[Demogorgon]

I am a pretty cynical person a lot of the time. I don't think it really conflicts in my political ideas. I think I am just cynical because I don't believe a word of capitalist propoganda any more and hhave become sick of seeing it.

I am still fairly optimistic as to the human condition.

[Clarksist]

Cynicism as a philosophy is actually mostly an individualistic, iconoclastic, and anti-communal sort of philosophy.


Cynicism is more a volition than a philosophy.

That really depends on exactly what form you are using.

[Jazzratt]

When I saw the thread title I thought you were refering to the greek philosophy.

Ah well. I don't think being cynical as a personality trait nescessarily precludes being leftist and being leftist does not preculde cyniscism.

[R_P_A_S]

this is a really good thread. because i share many of the views and feelings as some of you.

[rouchambeau]

The first step is to refrain from posting garbage in the Philosophy forum.

[Angry Young Man]

Originally posted by [email protected] 14 2006, 10:34 PM
The first step is to refrain from posting garbage in the Philosophy forum.
Don't be such a miserable bastard. What qualifies a good question without resorting to smartarsism?

[bezdomni]

Originally posted by RedStarOverYorkshire+Oct 16 2006, 06:32 PM--> (RedStarOverYorkshire @ Oct 16 2006, 06:32 PM)
[email protected] 14 2006, 10:34 PM
The first step is to refrain from posting garbage in the Philosophy forum.
Don't be such a miserable bastard. What qualifies a good question without resorting to smartarsism? [/b]
He was being cynical.

[Cryotank Screams]

I personally consider myself to be highly cynical, and pessimistic, and to be perfectly honest I am an extreme misanthrope, but I don't consider this a hindering a block, I like to think of it as keeping me grounded in reality, nor do I let my own personal views and feelings get in the way of revolutionary work, and my participation in the revolution, I'm not that narcissistic.

[MiniOswald]

I think a good number of lefitsts are cynical, its partially what first caused us to search for theoretical alternatives to something we view in a bad light, i.e the current world state. Its also hardly suprising given our opposition to the people who control countries as it is. I must say im mistrustful of british MPs, and usually treat them with a cynical approach

[RebelDog]

I'm intolerably cynical at times. I think a lot of that comes from living in a capitalist society because I sometimes think few people are genuine (present company excluded) and are acting for personal interests and not actually saying what they believe. Like what Minioswald says about British MP's. I think they are mostly careerists and say what will progress their careers and not what they actually believe. I have always said however, it is better to be cynical than naive.

I am highly pessimistic at times but I believe I derive that from the frustration of being a worker and putting up with shit at work and the lack of democracy etc. Also other peoples apathy makes me pessimistic. Can pessimism be seperated from depression because I get depressed at times too?

[BurnTheOliveTree]

The dissenter - Shouldn't it be "Dissident" as opposed to dissenter?

-Alex

[gilhyle]

To be cynical is to go beyond an informed assessment of prospects to a presumpation of the worst. Im all for scepticism - too many Marxists seem insufficiently sceptical of their own political tradition, for a start. But cynicism is a poison which drags us down.

[RebelDog]

Originally posted by [email protected] 17 2006, 12:53 PM
The dissenter - Shouldn't it be "Dissident" as opposed to dissenter?

-Alex
Does it matter, tis but a name.

[BurnTheOliveTree]

Nah it doesn't matter, but being pedantic is fun once in a while.

-Alex