Is It Valid to Have Cynical Views of Humans?

[Shiningtempest]

I am asking this because I am starting to develop cynical views of humans after reading multiple news stories about the war between Ukraine and Russia. All else equal, I don't see a hopeful future since people will continue to tear each other apart.

Destruction During Russian Invasion

[normalice]

That's more pessimistic than cynical. Cynicism has more to do with using the law of averages when it comes to everything to assume there will be enough shitty or scared people to organize for a purpose that in no way cures their shittiness or fear. Or at least as I understand it.

Anyway, it's valid to be pessimistic. Indeed, it is valid to be cynical. But it is destructive. No problem has ever been fixed just by acknowledging it. And a large part of cynicism is to assume everyone will be daunted by the massive amount of work it would take to put an end to their fear or shittiness, woild choose to make themselves feel better, instead, and so don't give them the choice. But another layer to that cynicism is that they assume people don't want to make choices because then they have to be responsible for the outcome. And the only reason cynicism is valid is because sometimes that's actually true.

[Shiningtempest]

@normalice I feel disillusioned & saddened that countries are tearing each other apart instead of working together to avoid World War 3.

[normalice]

It's not really "countries" though. It's just a few insecure and powermad leaders driving the 10% or so of their population that is also insecure into dragging the rest of their country into a conflict they would otherwise have no interest in.

[MCheetah]

That's normal if you're intelligent enough. Welcome to The Club!

[Guy13]

Astute observation…and the underlying definition of what you are addressing is the obvious: 1. Man is unable to do what is either spiritually or morally good on his own. 2. Man can not be enlightened beyond his Natural state. Clearly, with all the advancements in Education, the Enlightenment, and Technology… Man is incapable of improving from his created state 3000 years ago.
II. Basic Attributes Man: possesses
—Consciousness: incorporates Being (Soul, Mind, Body/To Be) and a set of beliefs, attitudes, and sensitivities formed into a character and/or personality. From Human beings’ Actions, it is clear that Conscious is not Good.
Conscience:is an internal rational ability that bears witness to our Value system. From human beings’ action or consciousness it appears that our expressed Value System is in opposition to what we like to think we are Consciously.
……

[Guy13]

Man: Determinism vs Free Will. Cynical man/ woman seemed determined to self annihilated. This seems plausible and, in fact, the outcome probably is continued Evil, Suffering, and ultimately Annihilation.
Reality: man/Woman can choose the thing before him as well as choose NOT the thing before him. Domestically (Shootings): that boy chose the option before him to pull trigger. This is an obviously Evil moral Choice that led to all kinds of Suffering, globally felt. The human being could have chose NOT to pull the trigger, however, he did.
Internationally: Putin made same cognitive Choice.

[Guy13]

So since Man is unable to improve as exemplified by historical precedent and at fundamental level, his choices two things come to mind:
-What the F is man here for-his Purpose, Why, and How⁉️ Is and If so, what is the Fix⁉️
—Those questions, I would like to hear 👂 from you on, please 🤷🏻‍♂️…

[Sun_Kim-Ai]

It depends. Honestly, most of the "cynics" I see around expouse or claim to expouse such views, do it just to be "cool" and "edgy".

That said, I don't think it's bad to recognize that humans are capable of doing and actually do horrible things; but refusing to see the good things they do is just being selectively blind or wanting to see the glass half-empty at all costs.

[Shiningtempest]

@Sun_Kim-Ai My post represents my disheartened feeling after reading news stories about the war going on between Russia & Ukraine.

[The_Shadow_Dweller]

Yes, it is valid.

After some time, you just begin to feel indifferent to all of these incidents, news, and anything of such nature. I am feeling it too, a bit by bit for now.

[jshm2]

No., Hence why they are called "cynical views" rather than "negative views".

Only uninformed assholes have cynical views. As they are either too emotional, or two self-important to know better.,

[RagnarRedbeard]

I can never understand people who think this way. Different groups of humans have always been at war with each other. It’s in our nature just like it is with any other animal.

[Anonymous]

You’re cynical about humanity because of a goddamn war an ocean and a continent away from you?

There is PLENTY to be cynical about all around you.

But those poor Ukrainians! 🙄

[Shiningtempest]

@agagagagaga It's one of the factors leading me to lose faith in humanity.

[ChiTown33]

Yeah, but never let life make you so cynical that you forget to smile. Life is still a beautiful ride. Always try to remember that.

[exitseven]

sure, most people are pond scum.