Pollyanna syndrome and determinism

[Estro Felino]

When I used to watch Pollyanna anime...I had the impression this child was exaggeratedly optimistic.
I identified with her aunt...who was more realistic...I guess. That was my favorite character.

But I didn't realize that in psychology there was this syndrome of people who in my opinion are too deterministic...that is they are exaggeratedly optimistic and their choices are without caution or prudence at all.
Fear is not negative. It makes us prudent.
We must rely on our free will: the others cannot and must not control our own lives because they have no idea what our life looks life.
Do not trust those who say "it will be all right in the end". Make your own choice.


Thoughts?

 

[Estro Felino]

I advise to watch this. This is a wonderful psychologist. A great professional. I understood many things of my past thanks to her.

 

[Revoltingest]

Determinism = Optimism?
Nah.

 

[Estro Felino]

Determinism = Optimism?
Nah.

I think determinism is irrational.
The sentence "it was meant to be" is something you read in fairy tales only.

There is no fate written somewhere for us.
We decide our fate because we have the power to change the world.

Determinism is optimistic because determinists always think there are no wicked people out there...especially in the CIA...
right dear?

 

[Martin]

'There is no fate but what we make".
I heard that in a film.

 

[Revoltingest]

I think determinism is irrational.
The sentence "it was meant to be" is something you read in fairy tales only.

There is no fate written somewhere for us.
We decide our fate because we have the power to change the world.

Determinism is optimistic because determinists always think there are no wicked people out there...especially in the CIA...
right dear?

Learn what the term means...

Determinism - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Estro Felino]

Learn what the term means...

Determinism - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

From the article:

Determinism is the philosophical view that all events in the universe, including human decisions and actions, are causally inevitable.[1]

In other words...that wars inevitable because human beings are handicapped and cannot do anything to prevent wars?

 

[Alien826]

When I used to watch Pollyanna anime...I had the impression this child was exaggeratedly optimistic.
I identified with her aunt...who was more realistic...I guess. That was my favorite character.

But I didn't realize that in psychology there was this syndrome of people who in my opinion are too deterministic...that is they are exaggeratedly optimistic and their choices are without caution or prudence at all.
Fear is not negative. It makes us prudent.
We must rely on our free will: the others cannot and must not control our own lives because they have no idea what our life looks life.
Do not trust those who say "it will be all right in the end". Make your own choice.


Thoughts?

First the psychologist is excellent. I wish I could have her as a counselor. I'm also sure I've encountered counselors that are "pollyannas" as she describes. In couples counseling they seemed to be trying to keep us together no matter what, when in retrospect the best thing (which actually happened, and led to our both being a lot happier) was to say, "It's hopeless, both of you should find someone more to your liking". There was no narcissism involved, but I recognize the type anyway.

Incidentally, I agree with @Revoltingest that "deterministic" seems to be the wrong word. Maybe that's not what you meant?

 

[Estro Felino]

First the psychologist is excellent. I wish I could have her as a counselor. I'm also sure I've encountered counselors that are "pollyannas" as she describes. In couples counseling they seemed to be trying to keep us together no matter what, when in retrospect the best thing (which actually happened, and led to our both being a lot happier) was to say, "It's hopeless, both of you should find someone more to your liking". There was no narcissism involved, but I recognize the type anyway.

That sounds nice because I have had a therapist that used to have an exaggeratedly optimistic view about relationships.
She thought that since a boyfriend had dumped me, it was my fault because I let him leave.

"Insisting would be stalking", I tried to tell her.

Incidentally, I agree with @Revoltingest that "deterministic" seems to be the wrong word. Maybe that's not what you meant?

I believe in free will.
We are free to decide. There is no power or authority that imposes something on us.

 

[Revoltingest]

I think determinism is irrational.

What is your reasoning?

 

[Revoltingest]

From the article:


In other words...that wars inevitable...

But working to avoid wars, & was avoided is also inevitable.
Still, you're not showing how it leads to optimism.
It could just as easily lead to pessimism....or neutrality.
Come on...show me some reasoning.

 

[Estro Felino]

What is your reasoning?

My reasoning is that some say that people procreate because that's inevitable.
That's not true ...because I didn't procreate because I decided so.

 

[Revoltingest]

My reasoning is that some say that people procreate because that's inevitable.
That's not true ...because I didn't procreate because I decided so.

Non sequitur.

 

[Estro Felino]

But working to avoid wars, & was avoided is also inevitable.

Absolutely not. France and Germany haven't fought against each other for 80 years because they decided so.
It's avoidable.

Still, you're not showing how it leads to optimism.

It could just as easily lead to pessimism....or neutrality.
Come on...show me some reasoning.

Before doing that, show me your definition of determinism.

 

[Revoltingest]

Absolutely not.

And yet, Biden ended the war in Afghanistan.
(BTW, Trump promised to, but failed.)

 

[Estro Felino]

And yet, Biden ended the war in Afghanistan.
(BTW, Trump promised to, but failed.)

Do you want to turn a psychology thread into a political one?

 

[HonestJoe]

In other words...that wars inevitable because human beings are handicapped and cannot do anything to prevent wars?

In what way would that be called optimistic? In my experience, determinism is more often accused of being nihilistic.

Of course, your take on determinism (and to an extent, the definition quoted) is also too human-centric. The point of determinism is that everything in the universe is equally predetermined. There isn't anything special about human existence or behaviour (which is why a lot of theistic believers object to it).

Or to put it another way; We can't do anything the prevent wars but nor can we do anything to make more happen.

 

[Alien826]

I believe in free will.
We are free to decide. There is no power or authority that imposes something on us.

OK, but what's the connection to narcissism?

 

[Estro Felino]

In what way would that be called optimistic? In my experience, determinism is more often accused of being nihilistic.

Of course, your take on determinism (and to an extent, the definition quoted) is also too human-centric. The point of determinism is that everything in the universe is equally predetermined. There isn't anything special about human existence or behaviour (which is why a lot of theistic believers object to it).

Or to put it another way; We can't do anything the prevent wars but nor can we do anything to make more happen.

With all due respect...but there's nothing pre-determined.
You exist because years ago your parents decided to have sex.
There was nothing "pre-determined" in that act.

I think we are the result of people's free will...but people are too egopathic and egocentric that they believe that they were pre-determined to do great things.

 

[HonestJoe]

With all due respect...but there's nothing pre-determined.

We can't know either way, that's a major reason it's such a long running philosophical debate.

I think we are the result of people's free will...but people are too egopathic and egocentric that they believe that they were pre-determined to do great things.

But people who believe in determinism generally don't believe that. As I said, it's typically accused of being nihilistic rather than anything positive. I find it's more often people who believe in free will (especially divine-granted free will) use that as justification to lord their successes over those who aren't as successful.