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*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_century 1542]

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_century 1542]

==Definitions==

==Definitions==

*1: a : [[contempt]]uously distrustful of [[human]] [[nature]] and [[motives]] <those cynical men who say that [[democracy]] cannot be [[honest]] and [[efficient]] — F. D. Roosevelt>  

*1: a : [[contempt]]uously distrustful of [[human]] [[nature]] and [[motives]] <those cynical men who say that [[democracy]] cannot be [[honest]] and [[efficient]] — F. D. Roosevelt>  

:b : based on or [[reflecting]] a [[belief]] that [[human]] [[conduct]] is motivated primarily by self-interest <a cynical ploy to win votes>  

:b : based on or [[reflecting]] a [[belief]] that [[human]] [[conduct]] is motivated primarily by self-interest <a cynical ploy to win votes>  

==Description==

==Description==

'''Cynicism''' is a distrust of other's [[apparent]] [[motives]]. It is a [[form]] of jaded [[negativity]], and other times realistic [[criticism]] or [[skepticism]]. The term originally derives from an ancient Greece philosophers group called the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynicism Cynics] who rejected all [[conventions]], whether of [[religion]], [[manners]], housing, [[dress]], or decency, advocating the pursuit of [[virtue]] in a [[simple]] and unmaterialistic lifestyle. By the 19th century, [[emphasis]] on the [[negative]] aspects of Cynic philosophy led to the [[modern]] [[understanding]] of cynicism to mean a disposition to disbelieve in the [[sincerity]] or [[goodness]] of [[human]] [[motives]] and [[actions]]. Modern cynicism, as a product of mass [[society]], is a distrust toward professed [[ethical]] and social [[values]], especially when there are high [[expectations]] concerning society, [[institutions]] and [[authorities]] which are unfulfilled. It can [[manifest]] itself as a result of [[frustration]], [[disillusionment]], and distrust [[perceived]] as due to [[organizations]], authorities and other aspects of society, and thus "cynical" is sometimes used as if it were synonymous with "jaded", and the [[opposite]] of "[[Optimism|optimistic]]". Other times, "cynicism" is the opposite of "[[naiveté]]".

'''Cynicism''' is a distrust of other's [[apparent]] [[motives]]. It is a [[form]] of jaded [[negativity]], and other times realistic [[criticism]] or [[skepticism]]. The term originally derives from an ancient Greece philosophers group called the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynicism Cynics] who rejected all [[conventions]], whether of [[religion]], [[manners]], housing, [[dress]], or decency, advocating the pursuit of [[virtue]] in a [[simple]] and unmaterialistic lifestyle. By the 19th century, [[emphasis]] on the [[negative]] aspects of Cynic philosophy led to the [[modern]] [[understanding]] of cynicism to mean a disposition to disbelieve in the [[sincerity]] or [[goodness]] of [[human]] [[motives]] and [[actions]]. Modern cynicism, as a product of mass [[society]], is a distrust toward professed [[ethical]] and social [[values]], especially when there are high [[expectations]] concerning society, [[institutions]] and [[authorities]] which are unfulfilled. It can [[manifest]] itself as a result of [[frustration]], [[disillusionment]], and distrust [[perceived]] as due to [[organizations]], authorities and other aspects of society, and thus "cynical" is sometimes used as if it were synonymous with "jaded", and the [[opposite]] of "[[Optimism|optimistic]]". Other times, "cynicism" is the opposite of "[[naiveté]]".

==The rise of modern cynicism==

==The rise of modern cynicism==

The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Greece classical Greek] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Rome Roman] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynicism Cynics] regarded [[virtue]] as the only [[necessity]] for [[happiness]]. They sought to [[free]] themselves from [[conventions]]; become self-sufficient; and live only in accordance with [[nature]]. They rejected any [[conventional]] notions of [[happiness]] involving [[money]], [[power]], or [[fame]], in the pursuit of virtuous, and thus [[happy]], lives. In rejecting conventional social values, they would [[criticise]] the types of [[behaviours]], such as [[greed]], which they viewed as causing [[suffering]]. [[Emphasis]] on this aspect of their teachings led, in the late 18th and early 19th century, to the modern understanding of cynicism as "an [[attitude]] of [[scorn]]ful or jaded [[negativity]], especially a general distrust of the [[integrity]] or professed [[motives]] of [[others]]." This modern definition of cynicism is in marked [[contrast]] to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Philosophy ancient philosophy], which emphasized "[[virtue]] and moral [[freedom]] in [[liberation]] from [[desire]]."

The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Greece classical Greek] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Rome Roman] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynicism Cynics] regarded [[virtue]] as the only [[necessity]] for [[happiness]]. They sought to [[free]] themselves from [[conventions]]; become self-sufficient; and live only in accordance with [[nature]]. They rejected any [[conventional]] notions of [[happiness]] involving [[money]], [[power]], or [[fame]], in the pursuit of virtuous, and thus [[happy]], lives. In rejecting conventional social values, they would [[criticise]] the types of [[behaviours]], such as [[greed]], which they viewed as causing [[suffering]]. [[Emphasis]] on this aspect of their teachings led, in the late 18th and early 19th century, to the modern understanding of cynicism as "an [[attitude]] of [[scorn]]ful or jaded [[negativity]], especially a general distrust of the [[integrity]] or professed [[motives]] of [[others]]." This modern definition of cynicism is in marked [[contrast]] to the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Philosophy ancient philosophy], which emphasized "[[virtue]] and moral [[freedom]] in [[liberation]] from [[desire]]."

[[Modern]] cynicism has been defined as an [[attitude]] of distrust toward [[ethical]] and social [[values]] and a rejection of the need to be socially involved. It is often regarded as a product of mass society, but one where [[political]] engagement has no [[option]] but to be cynical. Unlike mere [[depression]], cynicism can be said to be more [[active]]; in his bestselling [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critique_of_Cynical_Reason ''Critique of Cynical Reason''], Peter Sloterdijk defined modern cynics as "borderline melancholics, who can keep their [[symptoms]] of [[depression]] under [[control]] and yet retain the [[ability]] to [[work]], whatever might happen ... indeed, this it the [[essential]] point in modern cynicism: the ability of its bearers to [[work]] - in spite of anything that might happen." David T. Wolf said that "[[Idealism]] is what precedes [[experience]]. Cynicism is what follows." It can be said that modern cynicism is the [[opposite]] of [[optimism]] and a more accurate antonym is [[naiveté]] which further supports this view.

[[Modern]] cynicism has been defined as an [[attitude]] of distrust toward [[ethical]] and social [[values]] and a rejection of the need to be socially involved. It is often regarded as a product of mass society, but one where [[political]] engagement has no [[option]] but to be cynical. Unlike mere [[depression]], cynicism can be said to be more [[active]]; in his bestselling [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critique_of_Cynical_Reason ''Critique of Cynical Reason''], Peter Sloterdijk defined modern cynics as "borderline melancholics, who can keep their [[symptoms]] of [[depression]] under [[control]] and yet retain the [[ability]] to [[work]], whatever might happen ... indeed, this it the [[essential]] point in modern cynicism: the ability of its bearers to [[work]] - in spite of anything that might happen." David T. Wolf said that "[[Idealism]] is what precedes [[experience]]. Cynicism is what follows." It can be said that modern cynicism is the [[opposite]] of [[optimism]] and a more accurate antonym is [[naiveté]] which further supports this view.

[[Category: Psychology]]

[[Category: Psychology]]