Socio-political optimism is merely an estimate of probabilities - not a virtue.
The Christian virtue of hope is properly "not of this world". It is directed beyond death, beyond resurrection - towards Heaven.
So, an optimistic estimate of this-worldly (including socio-political) probabilities may be honest or dishonest, objective or manipulative, well-informed or blind, rooted in joy or in fear.
On the other side: pessimism about this world, including pessimism regarding the future socio-political situation, is neither a virtue nor a sin.
In and of itself, pessimism is just a different estimate of future probabilities.
What makes pessimism a virtue or a sin, is the true motivation behind a declaration of pessimism.
In these times, one besetting sin is to despair existentially; to despair of salvation and God's loving creation; because of our personal (incomplete, biased) understanding of the events and probabilities of this-world.
Another besetting sin of these times is optimistic despair... A Micawber-like clutching-at-straws type optimism; motivated by the reality that someone cannot psychologically tolerate the reality of a pessimistic evaluation. This is a refusal to face fear - therefore itself a species of despair; driven by lack of faith in Christian hope.
Whereas; it is virtuous (albeit a fine-line to walk) genuinely to be a joyous, hope-filled, pessimist!
I think you underestimate the level of cynicism (or realism) out there. In the US, I think at least half the Trump voters will tell you things are too far gone, but if we get lower inflation, fewer immigrants and no new wars in the meantime, then they owe it to themselves and their families.
ReplyDeleteThat Trump drives the Left and the ideologue-conservatives insane is as good reason to vote for him as any. I understand your objections to voting as a matter of spiritual principle.
Another "optimist" take would be that the only way out is through, and Trump seems to be bringing things to a head.
I'm never going to be in the This Really Is The End camp. Humankind has had a number of such events and each time some of us showed up for the future and had to live it.
@A-G - I was referencing online opinion - not what "the US people" think.
ReplyDeleteIndividual votes of course make zero difference, except to the voter. When people talk about the effect of their vote, they are actually saying something about their self-image, and how this is affected by how they vote .
"I'm never going to be in the This Really Is The End camp" - In that case, for sure, sooner or later, you Will be wrong! - It's just a question of when.
I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.. Psalm 27:13
ReplyDelete@PF - Yes, that is how it was before Jesus Christ. No resurrection, no Heaven.
ReplyDelete