Some would say, to be an atheist is to be a cynic.
A while ago I received an email in which I was scolded on a couple statements I’ve made on this blog, and it was pointed out to me that there was a fair amount of cynicism expressed in those thoughts. You would think cynicism is a bad thing, and as the amount of negative quotes on the topic outnumber the positive, it seems most people think so too.
It is a good thing truth is not dependent on votes.
Here are some thoughts on the matter:
“There is nothing so pitiful as a young cynic because he has gone from knowing nothing to believing nothing.” (Maya Angelou, as quoted in The Truth in Words (2005) by Neal Zero)
Cynic, n. A blackguard whose faulty vision sees things as they are, not as they ought to be. (Ambrose Bierce)
Famously:
What is a cynic? A man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. (Oscar Wilde)
Cynicism is an unpleasant way of saying the truth. (Lillian Hellman)
Cynicism may be that which clouds our optimism for change, but, it is my opinion that when borne of experience, cynicism is possibly the strongest internal advocacy for truth and realism. Yes, it can go too far, like almost any other philosophy, but the way I see it is not so much an immovable thought pattern as an attitude, and not subject to all areas of a person’s life.
Considering the recent events in my life, I pull another quote on cynicism:
“A cynic is just a man who found out when he was ten that there wasn’t any Santa Claus, and he’s still upset.” (James Gould Cozzens)
Er… Yah!! Except I’m 22 and it’s a little more complicated than SANTA. Of course I’m cynical! My entire world/life-view and foundations just got obliterated, leaving me with a large box of ambivalence into which every relationship, every idea, every dream, notion and defining experience is piled in one messy heap, and which I am sorting through bit by bit. I don’t think my cynicism about things I’ve experienced first-hand and know to be true to a point is unwarranted. I don’t think cynicism equates exaggeration or right out lies.
Cyn-ic: An idealist whose rose-colored glasses have been removed, snapped in two, and stomped into the ground, immediately improving his vision. (Rick Bayan)
What do you think about cynicism – useful in context or just bad bad bad?
Cynicism is a word that has taken on so many different meanings from its origins that it’s difficult to nail down. I believe it to be a defense mechanism and reaction to the bullshit that we’re forced to swallow by those especially in religious or political power.
There are more negative quotes about cynicism because a cynic exposes the untruths and padding that deceitful people put up hence ruffling feathers of those who would rather see the world as they would like it and not how it really is.
And that Maya Angelou quote is pitiful.
It is rather. I was quite disappointed by that quote – it’s that idea of ’spiritual wisdom’ vs. knowledge or rational thinking. Like that priest at the end of Angels & Demons. Grr.
Would you say cynicism has in any way put a damper on your life? See, the way it’s been shown to me is that to be cynical is to be endlessly pessimistic and in some way lose joy in things and life.
But I heart Ambrose Bierce’s.
I think moderation in everything is the key. Maybe I’m not much of a cynic. My blog is Cynical-C but I never really have said how cynical that means
But being cynical doesn’t mean that you are never happy. I’m happily married and have a cat, the most cynical of animals despite cynic meaning “dog”…. But that doesn’t mean I fool myself into thinking that it will be happiness for ever after. If anything, my cynical outlook makes me want to work harder knowing how quickly life can change for the worse. Does this make sense?
I think every gathering needs a cynic. I take up that mantle most of the time, it’s so much fun
An idealist will always be weary of the cynic, always claiming that the cynic has been blinded. To revert back to the fish analogy (my apologies), The one who realizes there is a world outside, can be interchanged with one that realize that his final fate is of death, and that everything in that little glass tank is pointless.
While the other, sustains that the little plastic vegetation is a gift from god, and idealizes it as proof for meaning in that tank.
And here, the cynical fish, is the smarter , if not better, of the two.
And to your main question. It’s neither good, bad nor ugly. It’s just as meaningful and beneficial (or pointless) as believing in God. A cynic does not become cold and lose his/her compassion, although it might appear to be so. He/she might become indifferent though.
I think the reason why most christians treat cynicism as something negative, unchristian, inspired by satan etc, is because it seems to go hand in hand with that other ungodly thing:
Questioning!!
I don’t think there is anything wrong with being a cynic. It can be useful for avoiding pitfalls that other non cynical people might cheerfully fall into.
(On a side note, thanks a lot for commenting on my blog. I haven’t been that good about thanking people.)
–GP