Realist vs. Cynic
Posted by GruntDoc on February 24th, 2008
I was recently accused at work of being a cynic (who, me?).
This made me wonder what the real difference between realism (from a health-care point of view) is versus cynicism. I’m of the opinion the two terms lie on a continuum, but others I asked disagreed.
I’ve looked up the dictionary definitions of both terms, but wonder if one of you nine can explain whether or not they’re stops on a continuous thought/reaction line, or are separate and distinct states of thought. I can see how someone can be a realist and a cynic, but have trouble with Pollyanna being a cynic; I have no trouble with a realist not being a cynic.
Perhaps they’re intersecting subsets. Perhaps one of you can help me sort this out.
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February 24th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
Hmm, I guess I’d say a cynic is predisposed to interpret issues or events in a negative light, while a realist looks at things objectively but not necessarily positively or negatively.
February 24th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
I have always thought that cynicism presupposed that trying to make things better was a hopeless effort. It has less to do with predicting a negative outcome.
February 24th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
I was accused of being negative this last week, but I wish I had said I was a realistic cynic.
February 25th, 2008 at 12:18 am
Was it Goethe who said “A realist knows the price of everything. An idealist knows the value of everything. A cynic knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.”
(Well, if he didn’t, he should have).
February 25th, 2008 at 10:02 am
I can’t explain it to you as I see myself as all three at different times –Pollyanna, realist, cynic. I’m not sure what my friends would say.
February 25th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Reminds me of a joke:
What’s the difference between a stoic and a cynic?
A stoic is what brings the baby, a cynic is what you washes him in.
OK, I didn’t say it was a good joke.
S.
February 25th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
Consider the environment though. Take a cynic from the normal world and place them in the ED. They will then actually be a realist. But maybe I’m cynical.
February 26th, 2008 at 1:09 am
Okay, not referring to my beloved Merriam-Webster’s here. This is off-the-cuff, my best guess:
cynic vs. realist?
cynic expects the WORST, has a jaded view.
Realist expects the BEST possible given the situation (= another view of worse than the scenario the cynic had envisioned)
luv,
your joyously exuberant and always hopeful,
cynical,
realistic,
Laundress
February 27th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
A realist has no illusions.
A cynic is a romantic with a broken heart.
February 28th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
I used to have a sign on my desk, depicting Dogbert sitting behind a desk, with the message, “Cynicism With A Smile.” I removed it when I could no longer smile.