Definition of cynicism?

[vaneramos]

Recently, on LJ I believe, I saw a quoted definition of cynicism, something like this: "The belief that everyone is naturally motivated by selfishness." The LJer (or his quotation) went on to elaborate that this is not necessarily a bad thing, that it allows us to have more reasonable expectations of others, and that genuine altruism may be treated with highest regard.

I might have seen this on a friend's or friend-of-friend's info page or website. I only gave it passing notice, but the thought has stuck with me since last week. I want to find the source for the sake of reference. If you recognize it and can suggest where I saw it, that might be an act of altruism.

Comments

[leafshimmer.livejournal.com]

Afraid I can't help you, but my favorite quote on that topic came from Oscar Wilde: "a cynic knows the price of everything, and the value of nothing." I believe that one is in Dorian Gray.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Yes, it is. But perhaps Mr. Wilde's opinion of cynicism is unnecessarily cynical.

[drabheathen.livejournal.com]

It's actually a philosophical concept called "psychological egoism" and has been greatly debated for a while. Google it-- it's interesting.

My own definition of cynicism is the suspicion that what would make oneself truly, completely happy does not exist in the world.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Thanks for putting me onto that search. It raises some interesting arguments.

[dakoopst.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure where it's from, but I agree with the idea wholeheartedly. I wouldn't call it cynicism, though; there's too much of a negative connotation linked with that word for me. For me, it's more a world view spawned from a disillusioned Christian upbringing.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Inevitably if I call myself a cynic, people will perceive it the wrong way. I ought to figure out what I believe without the need to apply labels to it. My search on "cynicism" and "psychological egoism" turned up some interesting arguments.

http://del.icio.us/vanwaffle/cynicism

It's true that some common behaviour (e.g. smoking, worrying) does not serve our own best interests. Still, this is an interesting model to explore. And perhaps needs to be explored, considering where you and I have come from.