Difference Between Pessimism and Cynicism (With Table)

The human brain has always been the most critical and complex part of the body. This brain in humans makes them superior to other animals. Humans have a sense of emotion, and feelings that can be better expressed than other animals. 

The attitude of every person differs from the other. Some people carry a positive attitude whereas some people carry a negative one. Two of the negative attitudes lead to the groups of two beliefs pessimism and cynicism. There is a thread diameter gap between these beliefs. To understand them better. Here are those mild differences to clear up the ideas.

Pessimism vs Cynicism

The main difference between Pessimism and Cynicism is that in pessimism people start to blame their whole surroundings and the world. But on the other hand, people in the belief of cynicism start to believe that all the people around them are unreliable. These mentalities of the person affect the mental and physical health of the person.

Pessimism is a mental state where a person starts believing that life is full of worst experiences than good. The people believing in pessimism are called pessimistic. This belief makes them depressed and does not allow them to meet people and roam around freely in society or do any work on their own. It makes the person lack confidence and puts them in the corner of the house.

Cynicism is also a mental state where a person cannot believe another person. The person who believes in cynicism is called a cynic. Cynics always think that the person on the opposite is having a negative motive for them. They cannot believe anyone around. This also leads to depression in the person. 

Comparison Table Between Pessimism and Cynicism

Parameters of Comparison

Pessimism

Cynicism  

Definition

Where people think that in life there are more worst than good

Where the idea develops that people around are not trustable

Views

Here they think that the world is getting worst by the passing time

Here they think that people around are getting more untrustable about their motives.

Comparison of negativity

This is more negative as this makes the person more depressed.

Comparatively, this is less negative.

Date of birth

1700

1500

Origin

Latin word “pessimus”

Latin word “cynisus” and Greek word “kynikos”

What is Pessimism?

The word Pessimism originates from the Latin word “pessimus”. This state of mind was first observed in the year 1700. Pessimism is a mental state where a person starts believing that life is full of worst experiences than good. The people believing in pessimism are called pessimistic. 

This belief makes them depressed and does not allow them to meet people and roam around freely in society or do any work on their own. It makes the person lack confidence and puts them in the corner of the house. This belief is a psychological condition of a person that develops due to any experience in their life.

Pessimism at some is good for a person. Knowing the dangerous conditions in life can make them prepared to handle as well as defend them. For example- a girl who has grown up always hearing all the dangerous events that could happen to her can develop pessimism in her mind. But in this case, it is helpful as it can make her safe from them by taking precautions. 

If any person is becoming a hard believer of pessimism should consult a psychologist at the earliest. As this condition increases can be fatal to life. The person needs to be tracked back to normal life and makes them believe that good is more to happen than worst in life.

What is Cynicism?

The word cynicism is originated from two words they are Latin word “cynisus” and the Greek word “kynikos.” This mental state was first discovered in 1500. Cynicism is also a mental state where a person cannot believe another person. The person who believes in cynicism is called a cynic. Cynics always think that the person on the opposite has a negative motive for them. They cannot believe anyone around. This also leads to depression in the person.

It is observed that a cynic is generally very unreliable to a person who is very aimed at a goal. This person can be of anyone with ambition, is rich, powerful have a great interest in earning money. The cynics found them very dangerous and always tried to maintain a distance from them. But they can meet or be comfortable with the person who does not show these characteristics to them. So cynicism is less negative as it allows their victim to meet some persons.

This mental condition is not allowable as always finding such a person seems difficult. Nowadays, everyone has some ambitions. So they also need to consult psychologists and make them understand that all ambitions are not bad and do not lead o negative ones. Their views need to change and try to make them a positive attitude person gradually.

Main Differences Between Pessimism and Cynicism

  1. Pessimism is a condition where people think that in life, there are worst than good. On the other hand, cynicism is a mental state where the idea develops that people around are not trustable.
  2. The views of the pessimist are like they think that the world is getting worst by the passing of time. In contrast, the views of the cynics are like they think that people around are getting more unreliable about their motives.
  3. The pessimism is more negative as this makes the person more depressed. Comparatively, cynicism is less negative.
  4. Pessimism was first seen in 1700, whereas cynicism was first discovered in 1500
  5. Pessimism originates from the Latin word “pessimus”. But the word cynicism derives from two words they are Latin word “cynisus” and the Greek word “kynikos.”

Conclusion

A negative mental condition is very bad for a person. This condition leads to depression, stress, and lack of confidence, the two mental conditions described here are never to be ignored if they cover at least 30%of a person’s life. These conditions can make a person prisoner in their area with no visitors.

Building up a positive attitude is very important in life. One should always cultivate positive ideas to get rid of depression, have less stress, and more focus on their life. These mental illnesses should be cured at the earliest. For parents, never cultivate more negative thoughts in your child. Negative things are major accidents, make them are but not coward.

References 

  1. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1975-09735-001
  2. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1379(199709)18:5%3C449::AID-JOB808%3E3.0.CO;2-O