Well, that would be fair, except I've stated no preference for pessimism:)) In my view it is just as important as Optimism. Two sides of the same coin.
Edit: and the current situation demonstrates that, in fact, reality itself can be horrible enough for the Pessimists to be right:))
But that was my point exactly, Pessimism isn't meant to fully replace awareness of reality. It, just as Optimism, is a Hypothetical at the end of the day, whereas I'd argue Realism, i.e. the ability to see things for what they are is a Concrete. Not even the same conceptual class from where I'm standing.
Edit: to add, I'd argue neither Pessimism nor Optimism can exist without a basis in Realism. Optimism is what I wish reality would be, Pessimism is what I fear reality could be. Without a pre-existing Realistic perception, both would be nothing but unrelated delirium, and then we'd be talking about something else entirely.
I genuinely don't understand how this hasn't been clear as day for everyone from the start. We've seen Putin (I still refuse to say Russia because it's not Russia's war, it's Putin's specifically) do this many, many times before! He's shown us his methods, he's broadcast his intentions over and over again (especially when trying to disguise them, I'd say, because his lies are always absurd and stupid), we all know why he's doing what he's doing. Why are we dancing around the subject, trying to give the benefit of the doubt to the wolf who's lounging belly-up in the middle of our empty and bloodied sheep pen?
We'd be better off if we'd switch to an all bean and cabbage diet and store the farts. No. Fuck Putin. Like, seriously.
If anyone seriously considers this, then Putin has successfully played you for a fool. You'll end up financing the hand with which he'll eventually (and inevitably) slap you.
Wow... and that's still not enough of a reason for the rest of the world to roll up our sleeves and start slapping the shit out of Putin, eh? Cool, cool...
Shove it right up my eyeballs!
Well, I don't use sun block, and I'm still depressed! How do you explain that, Mr. President!
Like, seriously! Now?! What the fuck tipped them off?!
Look, I agree that from a purely logical standpoint, there ain't nothing there. Personally, I believe the Universe is enough as far spiritual anchors go. But from an "I'm just breathin' here" standpoint, I genuinely couldn't care less. As long as people don't hurt others out of their beliefs, they can knock themselves out believing whatever they so desire!
To be perfectly honest, I also think it adds a bit of flavour to the world as long as it's benign, I've had the immense luck of meeting a few religious people who took the good things out of The Text (generalising) and forged their own very personal relationship with the divine! They were the kind of people who took Free Will as being the highest imperative at the end of the day, people who would have fundamentally tried to respect existence even without the pre-existing framework. I'm thinking here specifically of my godfather (raised in an Orthodox household), who's a middle-management kinda' Priest (I don't know the ranks, I'm sorry...).
Having these examples in mind, I prefer all the more to live and let live, as long as they do so as well.
I'm of the "I don't know, whatever" persuasion=))
Oof! One of those moments which kinda' make one wish there wasn't an afterlife...
Thank you for the tidbit, though, and fuck Fascists regardless!
Sure, if you want to neglect the value of trying to picture a better and a worse.
Honestly, you seem to have a problem with Pessimism itself by default, in which case there's nothing more I can say here.
And, to answer your question, how does one learn if not by first being wrong about things?