What Does It Mean To Be Cynical? Definition of cynical 1 : having or showing the attitude or temper of a cynic: such as. a : contemptuously distrustful of human nature and motives … those cynical men who say that democracy cannot be honest and efficient.— Franklin D. Roosevelt.
What is a person who is cynical? Definition of cynical 1 : having or showing the attitude or temper of a cynic: such as. a : contemptuously distrustful of human nature and motives … those cynical men who say that democracy cannot be honest and efficient.— Franklin D. Roosevelt.
What is an example of cynical? The definition of cynical is having a belief that people only do things to serve their own needs. An example of cynical is someone who believes another only gave to charity to get a date with the person asking for the donation. (medicine, rare) Like the actions of a snarling dog. A cynic spasm.
What does a cynical person believe? a person who believes that only selfishness motivates human actions and who disbelieves in or minimizes selfless acts or disinterested points of view.
What are the characteristics of a cynical person?
Cynical people (also called “cynics”) believe that human beings are basically motivated by greed and self-interest; they are distrustful of others, usually very negative, and suspicious of sentimentality.
How do you explain cynical to a child?
Today, the word ‘cynicism’ generally describes the opinions and actions of those who believe that self-interest is the primary motive of human behavior. These persons, called cynics, shy away from relying upon sincerity, human virtue, or altruism as motivations.
Is cynical the same as selfish?
is that selfish is holding one’s self-interest as the standard for decision making while cynical is of or relating to the cynics, a sect of ancient greek philosophers who believed virtue to be the only good and self-control to be the only means of achieving virtue.
Is being cynical negative?
Because cynical and suspicious attitudes create a negative filter through which we observe our surroundings, when we are in this state, we tend to miss out on joys in life. We indulge in an “us versus them” mentality that pins us against a certain person or group.
Does cynical mean selfish?
A cynic is someone who believes that humans are selfish and that they only do something if it will benefit themselves. Cynics criticize acts of kindness and will probably tease you if you help an old lady cross the street.
What is cynical ideology?
Modern cynicism has been defined as an attitude of distrust toward claimed ethical and social values and a rejection of the need to be socially involved. It is pessimistic about the capacity of human beings to make correct ethical choices, and one antonym is naiveté.
What is the opposite of cynical?
cynical. Antonyms: genial, lenient, complaisant, urbane. Synonyms: sarcastic, snarling, snappish, sneering, cross-grained, currish, carping.
What is a cynical woman?
1 distrustful or contemptuous of virtue, esp. selflessness in others; believing the worst of others, esp. that all acts are selfish. 2 sarcastic; mocking.
What is the meaning of patronizing attitude?
Definition of patronizing : showing or characterized by a superior attitude towards others : marked by condescension patronizing comments No more endearing is his patronizing jocularity …—
Is cynical an insult?
distrusting or disparaging the motives of others; like or characteristic of a cynic. showing contempt for accepted standards of honesty or morality by one’s actions, especially by actions that exploit the scruples of others. bitterly or sneeringly distrustful, contemptuous, or pessimistic.
Am I an idealist or a cynic?
A cynic is someone who believes that human conduct is motivated wholly by self-interest, while an idealist is guided by, well, their ideals.
Can cynicism be good?
Of course, cynicism is neither wholly good nor bad. It’s easy to see how you can be too cynical, but it’s also possible to be not cynical enough. Indeed, although the word itself is now largely pejorative, you’ll find almost everyone revels in a certain amount of cynicism.
What is wrong with being cynical?
This kind of attitude is bad enough when it happens on an individual level, but at the societal level, it’s toxic. In a time where action is paramount, cynicism creates a paralyzing effect. It causes predatory delay, which is effectively the same as losing.
Are cynics realists?
(Cynics often pass themselves off as realists by saying, “I’m just being a realist,” but their use of the term is a bastardization of its definition.) Actual realists take into account all information without a predisposition to interpret it or predict outcomes in one direction or the other.
What is a cynical romantic?
You believe in love but don’t believe in people anymore. 2. Grey is your favorite color because it beautifully reflects the balance of life. 3. Your good-morning texts are sent in the evening so that you sound chill instead of clingy, needy, or desperate.
Which country is the most cynical?
Bulgaria has been the reigning champion for three consecutive years with the world’s largest percentage of “suffering” people. The 2013 World Happiness Report ranked Bulgaria #144 out of 156 countries, just below Afghanistan and Cambodia.
What is the difference between Stoicism and cynicism?
Stoicism is a philosophy that teaches us to accept what is out of our control, including the behavior of others. While the Cynics may want to break society out of their social norms, Stoicism would counsel us to accept social norms and not take on the impossible task of changing everyone to a different way of life.
What is the difference between cynicism and pessimism?
1. Pessimism is the belief that there are more bad things in life than there is good while cynicism is the belief that people should not be trusted. 2. Pessimism views the world as getting worse as the years pass while cynicism views people with distrust and scorn for their motives.