Why Cynicism is Just Moral Cowardice

When Did Belief Became Cringe?

Photo by Michael Benz on Unsplash

Our default setting has shifted lately — from skepticism, which can be healthy, to cynicism, which has a habit of corroding everything it touches.

I want to be clear about what I mean by cynicism: I’m talking about the reflexive assumption that everyone’s stated motivations are false, that institutions are irredeemably corrupt, that idealistic projects are either scams or delusions, that there is no hope, and that anyone who claims otherwise is either naive or complicit.

The appeal of cynicism is that it makes you sound smart without asking for a whole lot of independent thought. It’s easier to tear down than build up, to assume the worst than to evaluate evidence, to sneer than to engage, to smirk rather than smile.

The cynic is never embarrassed by having believed in something that failed.

They’re never caught looking foolish for having trusted.

It’s an insurance policy against disappointment, and in a world that regularly disappoints, who can blame people for wanting coverage?

But cynicism only protects you from loss by preventing you from taking risks in the first place. It protects you from the pain of betrayed idealism; but it does so by making it impossible to believe in…