Cynicism (contemporary)

Cynicism is an attitude characterized by a general distrust of the motives of others and a lack of faith in other human beings, in the belief that humans are selfish by nature. A cynic may have a general lack of faith or hope in humanity in general or in people motivated by ambition, desire, greed, gratification, materialism, change, goals, and opinions that a cynic perceives as vain, unobtainable, or ultimately meaningless. The term originally derives from the ancient Greek philosophers, the Cynics, who rejected conventional goals of wealth, power, fame, and honor. They practiced shameless nonconformity with social norms in religion, morality, law, manners, housing, dress, or decency, instead advocating the pursuit of virtue in accordance with a simple and natural way of life.

By the 19th century, emphasis on the ascetic ideals and the critique of current civilization based on how it might fall short of an ideal civilization or negativistic aspects of Cynic philosophy led the modern understanding of cynicism to mean a disposition of disbelief in the sincerity or goodness of human motives and actions. Modern cynicism is a distrust toward professed ethical and social values, especially when there are high expectations concerning society, institutions, and authorities that are unfulfilled. It can manifest itself as a result of frustration, disillusionment, and distrust perceived as owing to organizations, authorities, and other aspects of society.

Cynicism is often confused with pessimism or nihilism, perhaps due to their shared association with a lack of faith in humanity. The differences among the three is that cynicism is a distrust by prudence; while due to a sense of defeatism, pessimism is the distrust of potential success. Nihilism on its part is the general distrust cast upon the belief that anything in life (including life itself) has any valuable meaning.