Cynicism, indifference, or hope! These seem to be the predominant attitudes of people given what’s happening in and to the world today. Wikipedia defines cynicism as “an attitude of scornful, jaded negativity and deep distrust of others’ motives, often assuming selfishness drives human behavior”. Given what we’ve experienced, seen in the news, watched on TV, or read on social media, such an attitude wouldn’t be surprising. Even our leaders in the organizations we work for, or our elders advise us not to be too trusting, since people are simply acting out the way they do to make money. Well, at least some of them, or most of them, depending on your experience. I’ve worked both in the public and private sectors, and I’ve had bosses who were cynical. I had a commanding officer in the military who often cursed and seemed not to have any respect for any of his superiors painting them as corrupt womanizers.

In fairness to those corrupt womanizers, my CO was one too. So, I often wondered what the hell he was talking about. After I had left the military, a corporate boss of mine also liked to speak candidly, and after working with him for some years, I realized that he frequently interjected his comments with informal but revealing details about how people were just about the money. The daily news, TV shows, and people’s behavior we see around whenever we leave the house, reinforce this cynical world view. Well, not most of the time, but they’re there and we only realize it when the view and sound of it encounter our senses. For instance, the material and moral corruption that are almost always synonymous with politicians anywhere in the world cannot but inspire cynicism in most people. After going through years and decades of witnessing such news, people get accustomed to it and at first, there may be some denial or glossing over, but ultimately, we begin to accept it as fact and the way things really are – that humanity is just a Theory X game. 

What about the second predominant attitude of choice which is indifference? Merriam-Webster defines indifference as “the lack of interest, concern, enthusiasm, or feeling towards someone or something”. The engine further defines indifference as “representing a state of not caring or having no preference, often characterized by apathy, detachment, or neutrality, denoting a lack of importance – where something is neither good nor bad”. I personally think that indifference is also a defense mechanism for people who wish not to be burdened further by added stressors on top of what they already need to deal with in their jobs and personal lives. But an unavoidable reality which impacts individuals with this type of attitude anyway is the interconnectedness of everything in our earthly lives. For instance, political choices, even if avoided, have outcomes which impact everyone anyway regardless of attitudes. Hitting at the indifference of qualified leaders in his time, the wise Greek philosopher Plato once said that “the price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men”. Further expounding on this apathy which continues to apply to this day, “Plato argued that honorable, wise, and capable people often shy away from holding office because they don’t crave power, find it a burden, or want to avoid ruining their reputation”. But be that as it may, there are consequences suffered by all due to this indifference from deserving leaders. “By refusing to participate in politics or civic life, they create a power vacuum that is filled by those who are ‘inferior’ or ‘worse’ (sometimes interpreted as ‘fools’ or ‘evil men’).” Seen in such light, indifference is not neutral in effect, but a vote for the lesser choice. 

Finally, we come to the third attitude of choice – hope. Again, Merriam-Webster helps us out with its definition. Hope is “a desire for a specific, positive outcome combined with an expectation – or belief in the possibility – that it will occur. It is both an emotion and a cognitive, future-oriented mindset aimed at improvement.” For instance, if the latest popularity polls on Donald Trump are any indicator, some 55% to 64% of Americans hope his term ends soon so that he can be replaced by a leader who is much more competent. Logically, all Americans adversely impacted by the inflation caused by the Iran War are hopeful that a new leader will improve their lot. Illogically, however, Americans negatively impacted but still want Trump around, do not seem to fall within the Merriam-Webster definition because the outcome they’re getting is nowhere near positive. Not only Americans, I think, but much of the world are hopeful that a return to the moral order, characterized by peace and prosperity, would be a most welcome change. I do not think any sane human being would want continued conventional conflicts that could escalate into a nuclear global war which no one wins. Thus far, the world has been fortunate to be ruled by a global moral order having learned from the painful lessons of the Second World War in the last century. But this global order has been eroding fast in just over a year with much of it owed to America’s tolerance of Donald Trump. If the push-back from the rest of the world unjustly impacted by the Trump administration is any indicator, a big chunk of the world are hoping that much better leadership could rise in the White House making the world a better place once more.