Explain the differences to me?

Ace Modder · 6 Aug 2015 at 23:43

between....Cynicism, Pessimism and Skepticism ?

I've just been writing an email and was unsure which word is best to use, so can all three be explained?

Ace Modder · 6 Aug 2015 at 23:44

I think skeptical is when you actually know the facts, but expect a negative outcome which goes is against these facts.

But the other two, I'm struggling to work out the differences.

Bickaxe · 6 Aug 2015 at 23:45

Disbelief
Negativity
Doubt

In a nutshell more or less

D3K · 6 Aug 2015 at 23:50

Cynicism is more related to actions / words / promises in a social sense, and is quite a negative word in itself. Pessimists expect the worst in every aspect. You can be a skeptic and not be perceived to be a negative person.

I would say cynicism and skepticism are closer related through contextual use than pessimism.

Tefal · 6 Aug 2015 at 23:53

sceptical, you aren't convinced by the persons argument/story and want solid proof from them before you believe

cynical, you disbelieve the person or expect a more negative outcome than they suggest because you doubt people and believe they are inherently deceitful, rather than having any proof they're lying.

pessimistic, you expect the worse, you may believe the person is telling the truth etc, but you still think it will go wrong.

Orionaut · 7 Aug 2015 at 00:04

Ace Modder said:
between....Cynicism, Pessimism and Skepticism ?

I've just been writing an email and was unsure which word is best to use, so can all three be explained?

Cynicism-Expecting/assuming the worst of people (And their motives)

Pessimism-Expecting/assuming the worst of random acts of nature/chance (and possibly people too).

Scepticism-questioning general received wisdom! :/

What is the context?

itchy · 7 Aug 2015 at 00:05

Ace Modder said:
between....Cynicism, Pessimism and Skepticism ?

I've just been writing an email and was unsure which word is best to use, so can all three be explained?

Cynicism is to doubt ones judgment or have a jaded view on a persons motives.

Pessimism you think the worst that can happen will.

Skepticism is to doubt others questioning.

Threepwood · 7 Aug 2015 at 00:15

Having some fun with using the opposite meaning to describe them.

Pessimism is easy, the opposite is optimism.

Skepticism is harder, the opposite is credulity.

Cynicism is harder still! But, personally I would go with... Panglossian?

Orionaut · 7 Aug 2015 at 00:19

Moses said:
Someone needs to write a book with words alongside their meaning. I reckon there's a good chance that'd do well.

Isn't that a Thesaurus, or perhaps a dictionary. (Roar! My Thesaurus beats your T-Rex!

)

The problem however is that it isn't actually that easy.

(Especially with English!)

I am sure I read a while back that "Official" English now has more than a million words. (Far more than any other language)

How can anybody possibly keep track of that??

dowie · 7 Aug 2015 at 00:22

Moses said:
Someone needs to write a book with words alongside their meaning. I reckon there's a good chance that'd do well.

maybe, it has been tried before but people just keep on inventing new words:

[FnG]magnolia · 7 Aug 2015 at 00:26

Orionaut said:
Isn't that a Thesaurus, or perhaps a dictionary. (Roar! My Thesaurus beats your T-Rex! )

The problem however is that it isn't actually that easy.

(Especially with English!)

I am sure I read a while back that "Official" English now has more than a million words. (Far more than any other language)

How can anybody possibly keep track of that??

I'm reading this for any hint of irony but there is none which is either tragically sad or comedy gold.

Either way, this man gets my vote.

Orionaut · 7 Aug 2015 at 00:30

[FnG]magnolia;28411390 said:
I'm reading this for any hint of irony but there is none which is either tragically sad or comedy gold.

Either way, this man gets my vote.

FoxEye · 7 Aug 2015 at 00:50

Ace Modder said:
between....Cynicism, Pessimism and Skepticism ?

I've just been writing an email and was unsure which word is best to use, so can all three be explained?

Cynicism, questioning the true motives behind every act. Believing there is a catch, and that selfish acts are disguised as unselfish.

Pessimism, expecting the worst simply put. Expecting failure, both in yourself and others. Predicting the worst outcome, or just a bad outcome, without tangible proof that this likely (the lack of proof makes pessimism different from realism).

Scepticism, disbelief, or being inclined to disbelieve. The opposite of faith. Being resistant to marketing/hype, and exaggerated claims.