Changes

The term '''optimist''' was originally applied to those who adhered to the [[philosophy]] of optimism. This declared that the world was the best of all possible worlds, as it was created by [[God]]. Therefore even what appeared bad was actually part of [[God]]'s perfection.

The term '''optimist''' was originally applied to those who adhered to the [[philosophy]] of optimism. This declared that the world was the best of all possible worlds, as it was created by [[God]]. Therefore even what appeared bad was actually part of [[God]]'s perfection. However, this was famously mocked in the novel Candid by the French philosopher Voltaire.

The term came to be used as meaning someone who looks for the positive side of a situation and anticipates the most positive outcome of a venture.

The term came to be used as meaning someone who looks for the positive side of a situation and anticipates the most positive outcome of a venture.