Question

Voltaire's Candide portrays several distinct ways in which human beings view the world, optimism being the most obvious. Choose one of the outlooks on life that are portrayed in Candide. Explain the positives and negatives associated with that viewpoint by providing modern-day examples. 200-word min.

Answer 1

Here, I shall explain Pangloss's worldview on life which is positivism. There are 2 points associated with the same. The first one is that we as human beings live in the best world than any type of world we get to live. Hence, everything happening will be positive. Second point is that all events happening in life is for the betterment of one's life and not for the worst. This view is purely optimistic and has both positive and negative sides. The positive side is that this view will help us to give confidence enough in facing any tough situation in life with all positive thoughts. The negative side is that there are many aspects in life which must be dealt with in a negative sense as well. For example, we as human beings are destined to have a long life. If someone is intentionally trying to kill us and we have chances to escape from the same, then wise decision with respecting saving life must be done rather than seeing the act of killing us in a positive manner.