Something Better Than Optimism

Something Better Than Optimism

112 pages

Softcover

Genre: Philosophy, Essay, Nonfiction
An incitement to think for yourself – without regards to comfortable habits of thought and lazy compromises

Critical thinking is unwelcome. More and more people are opting out of the constant flow of bad news, while the call is repeated in all tones: ‘Optimism is mandatory’ – a blatant threat against all those who are read as pessimists. Mood-mongering takes precedence over opinion-forming. However, the prevalence of feelings smuggles in implicit views that need to be exposed. Optimism is not just a state of mind or an attitude, but a concept that goes back to Leibniz’s theodicy and demands the fatalistic acceptance of what exists. Taking action against optimism does not mean surrendering to pessimism, but freeing ourselves from this clumsy alternative.

Awards

Günther Anders Prize for Critical Thinking 2024
German title: Etwas Besseres als der Optimismus
ISBN: 978-3-7518-3020-1
Publisher: Matthes & Seitz Berlin
Publication date: 27.02.2025
Series: Fröhliche Wissenschaft Vol. 244

Licence

Essay

Guillaume Paoli is a French journalist and philosopher living in Berlin. He is one of the founder of the movement of the "Happy Unemployed". Previously published by Matthes & Seitz Berlin: Mind and Garbage (2023).

By the same author(s)