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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 '''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 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.
An [[optimist]] is one who looks at a glass of water that is half-full and half-empty, and focuses on how it is half-full. A [[pessimist]] focuses on how it is half-empty.
An [[optimist]] is one who looks at a glass of water that is half-full and half-empty, and focuses on how it is half-full. A [[pessimist]] focuses on how it is half-empty.
[[Voltaire]] mocked the concept in his novel ''[[Candide]]''.
Antonym: [[Pessimist]]
Antonym: [[Pessimist]]
[[category:philosophy]]
[[category:philosophy]]