Can you help me with some thoughts about cynicism?

Hmm. Five GQs already, and no answers. That’s pretty unusual. I have to give it some thought.

It’s the safe and reliable bet. Hope for the best, expect the worst. The safe way to avoid disappointment.

From what I understand, cynicism used to mean a philosophy about not caring for the material world and living in harmony with nature. I can relate to that as there are many Eastern and Western philosophers who lived and proposed the idea. Somehow in the modern day time the word was twisted into “assuming the worst in everything”. This is as far away to the real philosophy as it gets. How did we end up like that?

Cynicism is the distorted view of humanity that comes from a loss of innocence. Generally speaking, the older we get the more cynical we become. There is nothing more wonderful than an old man without cynicism. I can think of a few distinguished examples. They shine like a light to the world.

Cynicism is healthy. It means you have doubt about that which you are told; it means that you are self-aware and analytical enough to have figured out that something is not right.

Cynicism is a good balance to the self-righteous pablum that we hear from politicians and other leaders.

@elbanditoroso It sounds like you’re describing skepticism more than cynicism. Skeptics demand sound reasoning and evidence for claims being made, but there’s nothing inherently pessimistic about skepticism. Cynics tend to be eternal pessimists and mistrustful of other people even when there is good evidence to be hopeful about something.

There are different types and different degrees of cynicism. The original (ancient Greek philosophical) meaning of cynicism is almost the opposite of some modern definitions. Often modern conversations (and even published articles) suffer from people mixing up their thoughts on cynicism with skepticism, satire, irony, sarcasm, criticism, selfishness, introversion, hostility, etc. Trying to pigeon-hole and diagnose all cynicism into one description, would be inaccurate.

For example, some cynicism can be healthy, intelligent, critical, humorous, well-intended, preventative, accurate, and/or lead to very beneficial and positive outcomes.

For another example, some cynicism can be perverse, hostile, inflexible, mindless, blinding, wrong, selfish, sour, nasty, or even deliberately sabotaging, and can lead to terrible things.

“What is cynicism? Is it a philosophy? Is it an emotion?”
– It’s a word, which can refer to a philosophy (and no, is not an emotion), or a characterization of an idea, a perspective, an expression or an attitude. I tend to think of it as a spectrum with healthy skepticism at one end, and unthinking cruel negativity at the other. (Some people try to insist cynicism has to include selfishness, and that it’s opposite is unquestioning enthusiastic conformity, but I think that’s a grave error.)

“Is it a sign of intelligence?”
– Not all cynicism is a sign of intelligence. But some cynical expressions show free thinking, humor, and can of course be very witty and some can accurately express focused pointed criticism that may be exactly what’s called for.

“If my idea of its causes has any merit, I think it’s an emotional reaction to dissatisfaction. It is in that case a sign rather of emotional immaturity. When an emotionally mature person is beset with a disappointment, they mark it and then move on.”
– Cynicism generally does have dissatisfaction, but I would not say it IS an emotional reaction. I certainly don’t agree that it’s a sign of emotional immaturity, though I can think of some types of cynical behavior in some people as conditioned ways of being. Certainly there are also emotionally immature people who habitually react to disappointment with cynicism, but that’s not what cynicism is. Nor does it describe all cynics.

@Zaku Thank you. Can you give some examples of healthy cynicism?

I think of cynicism as an attitude that people do things only in their own self-interest. It questions the role of altruism.

One issue is that many modern definitions on cynicism actually define it deep on the negative end of the scale.

For example, an Internet summary from Oxford Languages lists:

Cynicism:
1. an inclination to believe that people are motivated purely by self-interest; scepticism.
2. an inclination to question whether something will happen or whether it is worthwhile; pessimism.
3. a school of ancient Greek philosophers, the Cynics.

Note that point 1 comes off quite extreme at first – it can be read as if to be cynical would mean to believe that people are motivated purely by self-interest! As if being cynical is all about that, and leaves no room for other ideas. But it also paraphrases that as “scepticism” (also another ancient Greek philosophy which doesn’t exactly map to conventional definitions), but note that IS NOT what scepticism means.

Oxford Languages lists:

Scepticism:
1. a sceptical attitude; doubt as to the truth of something.
2. the theory that certain knowledge is impossible.

And similarly, definition 2 of Cynicism above says “pessimism”, or more generously, an inclination to question things!

An inclination to question things, I would say, is an example of healthy cynicism, even with some cynical humor thrown in.

Other examples would be any case where a nasty person or group is putting forward disinformation, such as in politics or advertising or propaganda, and that false message can be justly and effectively (and often, entertainingly) destroyed by an accurate cynical parody.

Like practically all of The Colbert Report or other comedic satirical news shows, which have tended to mostly be more accurate and honest journalism than most mainstream corporate news for at least two decades now, e.g. Jon Stewart, John Oliver, Trevor Noah . . .

I consider pretty much all the Pitch Meeting videos, and much of Ryan George’s other videos to feature a lot of positive cynicism, too. Note that it EXPOSES the terrible patterns of some others (including but definitely not limited to selfishness) WITHOUT holding a position that EVERYONE is like that. In fact, Ryan George is a great example of also exemplifying contrasting healthy/reasonable perspectives at the same time, which I think is part of what makes his videos so often hilariously ring true.

Or this recent review by The Critical Drinker (typically good for some humorous but usually positive cynicism) about The Truth About ’‘Toxic Fandoms’’ . I think The Critical Drinker is an important example of how cynicism can effectively and appropriately reveal gaslighting, by refusing to give more politeness to gaslighters than they deserve.

And I’d say the common arguments against cynicism tend to place too much faith in the idea that in actual society (not to mention media or politics) the mainstream message doesn’t deserve any skepticism or resistance.

There are many other possible flavors of healthy cynicism as well, but there are some examples.

@Zaku Thank you again. That is thorough and enlightening. I have mostly been thinking of kneejerk cynicism and was forgetting the type of cynical parody you have reminded me of.

It reminds me of a rap lyric from Logic, where he basically says “I made it out of this really hard life without getting cold and numb.”

This implies that most people eventually become cold and numb, and not becoming so is a massive strength, because your spirit wasn’t broken down.

The act of existing breaks down a person and other animals because it’s a daily/weekly/yearly race for resources which takes energy itself.

Even if you’re a good and smart person, you’re still gonna get fatigued.

Being cynical, or even skeptical, is a way to stay alive! We can’t just blindly follow or believe anything and everything told to us.

I can’t help but notice the Jewish people on the thread think some level of cynicism is necessary. Even the Black person on the thread described the fatigue “we” endure having to look over our shoulder so to speak. It’s what experts call hyper-vigilance, and it’s believed it’s handed down generation after generation by groups that have been oppressed and worse.

Madeline Albright called herself an optimistic worrier, many people would probably perceive her as pessimistic or too cynical.

I don’t know if intelligence correlates with cynicism. I’m guessing there are cynical people that fall everywhere on the IQ bell curve. Plus, almost everyone is smart or has expertise in particular things, so they might be cynical only in certain realms of life.

I do think too much cynicism can get a person stuck in the mud, and as you put it, they don’t move forward. I suffer from ruminating about the past and wishing things were different, and it’s not very productive.

My husband accuses me of getting into analysis paralysis regarding many things. I’m trying to be better about it, and it’s not that I trust people more it’s that I accept I’m sometimes taken advantage of or treated badly and I just try to take it in stride and put it behind me.

You talked about control. I had to really ponder that. I find this Q very self revealing. I think yes, it is partly about trying to get some control when I feel someone else has power over me, but I’m not looking for power over them, but rather I constantly feel I am seeking a more just world where I and others would and should be treated fairly. Which might explain why there are so many Jewish lawyers.

“My interest in issues is merely to point out how badly we’re doing, not to suggest a way we might do better.
Don’t confuse me with those who cling to hope. I enjoy describing how things are, I have no interest in how they ought to be. And I certainly have no interest in fixing them. I sincerely believe that if you think there’s a solution, you’re part of the problem.
My motto: Fuck Hope.
P.S. In case you’re wondering, personally I’m a joyful individual, I had a long happy marriage and a close and loving family, my career has turned out better than I ever dreamed, and it continues to expand. I’m a personal optimist, but a skeptic about all else. What may sound to some like anger, is really nothing more than sympathetic contempt. I view my species with a combination of wonder and pity, and I root for its destruction. And please don’t confuse my point of view with cynicism–the real cynics are the ones who tell you everything’s gonna be all right.
And P.P.S., by the way, if by some chance you folks do manage to straighten things out and make everything better, I still don’t wish to be included.”

-George Carlin, Brain Droppings

I think maybe some clear examples might help. Like this :

A skeptic, a pessimist, a cynic, and a realist walk into a bar.

The skeptic tells the girl at the bar  “I’d really like a good 12 year old scotch, but you probably don’t have any, just bring me a beer.” The pessimist says ” You probably pee in the beer, so I’ll take a gin & tonic.” The cynic says, “I don’t care. Put your favorite swill in a pitcher and I’ll piss in it myself.”

The bar girl asks the realist what he wants. “Water. I’ve gotta drive these losers home.”