"Troubles indeed abound, but troubles have always abounded. We humans have always got past them, albeit not always quickly or easily." Yes I too have confidence in the ability of mankind to respond to new challenges with new inventions and life-saving medicines and technologies. I believe we must have hope and optimism about the future. I believe Good will triumph ultimately over evil.
Humans are rational and have God-given power to search for the truth and to behave in accordance with Right and Wrong. As we seek knowledge we must be grateful but also humble.
As we seek knowledge we should have awe for the mystery of our existence, for the world itself for day and for night and the cosmos above.
I know my life has not many days or years left but I am satisfied as I have children and grandchildren and I derive much joy and hope from them. My greatest wish is that they are able to live happy, productive and secure lives.
It seems reasonable that they will have a good chance for such a life
But I know all cannnot be known so I do what I can and for the rest I have the last weapon of the weak and the old: prayer.
The Old Book teaches us that life is a continuous struggle for doing what is right and understanding what is right. But only God can accomplish the greatest things.
"Except for the Lord the watchman waketh in vain." History and life is ever new. We can move ahead. We can pray. We can grow better or worse. Certainly we can learn from history and life. And I think history gives up hope.
the aphorism "People tend to overestimate what can be done in one year and to underestimate what can be done in five or ten years." isn't strictly about future expectations, but probably says something about our tendencies to extrapolate in the near term and over-correct in the longer term.
i reluctantly use this example (godwin's law, right?) but I suspect that the mood in Germany in the late 30's and early 40's was completely opposite that of 43-46 (and probably was the exact opposite of Britain's at the same time).
i'm not sure what it says about us that we use our economic prospects as an absolute measure of our definition of optimist and pessimist. OTOH, I'm not sure what a viable alternative would be.
"Troubles indeed abound, but troubles have always abounded. We humans have always got past them, albeit not always quickly or easily." Yes I too have confidence in the ability of mankind to respond to new challenges with new inventions and life-saving medicines and technologies. I believe we must have hope and optimism about the future. I believe Good will triumph ultimately over evil.
Humans are rational and have God-given power to search for the truth and to behave in accordance with Right and Wrong. As we seek knowledge we must be grateful but also humble.
As we seek knowledge we should have awe for the mystery of our existence, for the world itself for day and for night and the cosmos above.
I know my life has not many days or years left but I am satisfied as I have children and grandchildren and I derive much joy and hope from them. My greatest wish is that they are able to live happy, productive and secure lives.
It seems reasonable that they will have a good chance for such a life
But I know all cannnot be known so I do what I can and for the rest I have the last weapon of the weak and the old: prayer.
The Old Book teaches us that life is a continuous struggle for doing what is right and understanding what is right. But only God can accomplish the greatest things.
"Except for the Lord the watchman waketh in vain." History and life is ever new. We can move ahead. We can pray. We can grow better or worse. Certainly we can learn from history and life. And I think history gives up hope.
the aphorism "People tend to overestimate what can be done in one year and to underestimate what can be done in five or ten years." isn't strictly about future expectations, but probably says something about our tendencies to extrapolate in the near term and over-correct in the longer term.
i reluctantly use this example (godwin's law, right?) but I suspect that the mood in Germany in the late 30's and early 40's was completely opposite that of 43-46 (and probably was the exact opposite of Britain's at the same time).
i'm not sure what it says about us that we use our economic prospects as an absolute measure of our definition of optimist and pessimist. OTOH, I'm not sure what a viable alternative would be.
I’m an optimist.
I have suffered many defeats in my life. But I am born to victory. - Emerson
Asked and answered:
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