“Cynicism is cowardice.” – Ryan Holliday
How can we remain good in a world of evil? The following headlines showcase a malaise prevalent within the human experiment:
- “Corporate America Drew Back From DEI. The Upheaval Isn’t Over.” The Wall Street Journal
- “Global Inequality and the Trump Administration” Review of International Studies
- “Trump Plans ‘Anti-White Racism’ Policies for Second Term” The Week
- “What Trump’s Expected Withdrawal from Global Climate Efforts Means for the Environment — and the Economy” The Hill
- “Trump’s Climate Policy Rollbacks: A Setback for Global Warming Mitigation Efforts” The Guardian
- The Meteoric Rise In CEO Compensation: How Executive Pay Surged Over 1,000% Since 1978 Forbes
- “Workers’ Rights Under Threat: The Impact of Recent Policy Changes” The New York Times
- “Poverty Rates on the Rise: Analyzing the Economic Policies Contributing to Economic Disparities” BBC News
- “Global Warming Accelerates: New Reports Indicate Faster Climate Change Than Predicted” National Geographic
- “Water shortages are likely brewing future wars — with several flashpoints across the globe” NBC New York
- Why do school shootings keep happening in the United States? VCU News
The common thread linking these headlines is a reflection of the systemic and pervasive crises facing modern society, spanning violence, inequality, environmental degradation, and social unrest. They underscore how deep-rooted issues such as school shootings, child abuse, global climate change, racial discrimination, and economic disparities continue to shape public discourse and fuel widespread cynicism.
Together, these stories highlight the fragility of societal structures, the urgent need for reform, and the collective responsibility to address not only surface-level symptoms but the underlying causes driving these crises. The headlines serve as a sobering reminder that without proactive leadership, empathy, and meaningful action, these challenges risk deepening the divisions and hardships experienced globally.
And to cap it all off, The Guardian asks: “Is societal collapse inevitable?” Perhaps hyperbolic and clickbaity, but honestly, is it far off?
It’s hard not to give into cynicism, to give into the temptation to lose faith or hope in people. To give into the belief that humanity is only motivated by selfish ambition, greed, self-gratification, or materialism.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t struggling. I have been struggling mightily since the US election in November – and probably much earlier. Honestly, I’ve had a hard time with humanity my entire life. I feel internally like a pendulum – swinging back and forth between love and contempt for homo sapiens. Thankfully, the pendulum has never locked on the cynical side, only flirted with it.
That is life. Struggle. It’s inevitable. But suffering is optional. And thankfully, I can turn to philosophy to keep suffering at the gates.
I continue to remind myself that I study philosophy for moments like this. What good is studying philosophical musings if it’s not used when needed most? The minute I stop using what I learned is the moment I give into cynicism.
I feel the Stoics would approach modern cynicism not by dismissing it outright but by transforming it into a productive and virtuous mindset. Cynicism, in the modern sense, often stems from disappointment, distrust, or a belief that people act primarily out of self-interest. Stoicism, on the other hand, encourages seeing the world clearly, acknowledging faults and imperfections, but refusing to let those observations lead to bitterness or disengagement.
Cynicism starts with disappointment. And I am deeply disappointed. But if left unchecked, it can turn into distrust, or worse, apathy. And I cannot allow myself to become apathetic. I am disappointed because I care. I try my damnedest to love – even the unlovable. And again, philosophy is my path towards caring and love.
Here’s how I have used philosophy to keep my cynicism in check:
1. Focus on What I Control
Cynicism arises from frustration with others or external events. The Stoics, particularly Epictetus, would remind me that while I cannot control how others behave, I can control my responses and attitudes. Cynicism loses its grip when one recognizes that peace of mind is one’s own responsibility. It comes from no one else, nor any where else, but from within.
“Some things are up to us and some things are not.” – Epictetus
By directing energy toward personal virtue and self-mastery, we can sidestep the paralyzing effects of cynicism. How do I do this? It’s not easy, but reading, writing, mindfulness, and a deep focus on not only what I do but how I do it.
2. Maintain Realistic Optimism (Amor Fati)
Stoicism doesn’t encourage blind optimism but promotes amor fati – the love of fate. This means accepting life as it is, with all its hardships, while finding ways to grow and contribute regardless. Marcus Aurelius frequently reminded himself to expect the worst from others, but to continue doing good anyway.
“Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.” – Marcus Aurelius
Cynicism says, “The world is corrupt, so why bother?” Stoicism replies, “Yes, but I can still choose to be virtuous and do my part.”
This is a follow up to the last point. I cannot control what everyone else does. I can only control what I do. If someone else is doing evil, I do not have to do evil; or more directly, I don’t have to be complicit in it. People will “people.” I don’t have to follow.
3. Sympatheia – Universal Connection
The Stoics believed in sympatheia – the interconnectedness of all things. This perspective dissolves the isolation cynicism breeds. By seeing oneself as part of the larger whole, the Stoic feels a duty to improve the world rather than withdraw from it.
“What injures the hive injures the bee.” – Marcus Aurelius
This is one of the most beautiful teachings of Stoicism, and other philosophies such as Buddhism (the non-religious aspects, that is). We were made for one another. Everyone has their part to play. There would be no good without evil, so evil is inevitable. Wishing there wasn’t evil is a fool’s errand. Evil will exist, but my part is to be the counterbalance – the good. So, I play my part as a Shakspearian actor plays theirs. Fully immersed.
4. Channel Discontent into Action
Cynicism often arises from a sense of powerlessness. The Stoics believed that even small actions aligned with virtue could create ripple effects. They would advise turning cynicism into fuel for constructive action, embodying the change you wish to see, even if no one else follows suit.
“Do not be ashamed of helping others.” – Marcus Aurelius
I wrote extensively about the four cardinal virtues courage, discipline, justice, and wisdom. These articles were not meant to be theoretical. They were meant to be a manifesto of movement. Movement is change. And movement requires friction, without which there is no change. So, I sharpen my iron with the iron of these virtues in hopes of helping the world, even a small part of it, become better.
5. Practice Gratitude and Perspective
Cynicism can blind us to the good that still exists. The Stoics practiced gratitude not as naïve optimism, but as a grounding exercise. Recognizing what is going well and appreciating simple pleasures diminishes the weight of cynicism.
It is human nature to focus on the bad more intently than the good. It stems from our evolutionary propensity for survival. Focusing on the bad kept our ancestors alive longer than being happy go lucky. Saber toothed cats or rival cavepeople took advantage of those who were not weary and paranoid. And don’t forget the news media knows this fact so very well and exploits it.
But today, while we live in a cruel world, it’s not nearly as dangerous as it once was. Our brains, however, have not evolved or adapted as quickly as our surroundings. I started this article with horrible headlines showing how horrible humanity is. We’re not as bad as many of us think:
- “Small Acts of Kindness Are Universal: Global Study Finds People Help Each Other Every 2 Minutes” Good News Network
- “Global Citizen Impact: The Latest News on How Your Actions Are Helping to End Extreme Poverty” Global Citizen
- “9 Actually Good Things That Happened in 2024” Vox
- “What Went Right in 2024: The Top 25 Good News Stories of the Year” Positive News
- “Top 10 Human Rights ‘Good News’ Stories from 2024” Human Rights Watch
- “The Good News Tracker of 2024 — The Happy Stories You May Have Missed” CNN
“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.'” – Fred Rogers (Mister Rogers)
Perspective, the old saying goes, is everything. Philosophy helps me maintain perspective. Not by becoming blind to the world’s issues, but by not forgetting that there is still good in this world, and it’s worth fighting for.
Ultimately, philosophy (and for me personally, Stoicism) provides an antidote to cynicism by fostering resilience, acceptance, and a focus on virtue. It acknowledges the flaws of the world but refuses to let them define one’s character or actions.
I remind myself that it is human nature to flirt with cynicism, but it is more human to continue caring about others, the planet, the universe. We are all parts of the same whole, and caring for others is a way of caring for myself.
I am working hard at ensuring that this period of time, or any period of time, doesn’t make me bitter. I want to ensure it makes me BETTER.
Rainn Wilson had an amazing anecdote that I also reflect on:
“Don’t do it! DON’T DO IT. Don’t give into cynicism. Don’t be pessimistic. If you do that, they win. That’s how they want you. If you’re pessimistic, if you’re cynical, they win, because you aren’t going to do anything to change the world.”
I want to change the world, so I fight cynicism inside me. I fight giving in. I don’t want to curse the darkness. I want to light a candle – many candles. I can’t do that in a pit of isolation and nihilism birthed from cynicism. I can only light my candles by moving, creating friction, being the change I want to see in our world.
“Cynicism is easy. Mimicry is easy. Optimistic contrarians are the rarest breed.” – Morgan Housel
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