The English language has a lot of words, and unfortunately, some of those words sound very similar to each other, which can be confusing. Besides that, some words are often used in similar contexts, which makes it even more unclear if they even have differences.
Cynicism and stoicism are two words often used to describe people of a certain type, but is there even a difference? There is: cynicism essentially amounts to skepticism, like doubting the good intentions of others. Stoicism is when a person endures hardship or trouble without displaying emotions about those hardships.
Both cynicism and stoicism have their merits, as well as their downfalls. We’ll talk about both of these things in greater detail down below.
Cynicism: Why It Has Value
The unfortunate reality of the world is this: some people are out to get you. Whether it’s your life, your happiness, your money, or even just your belief and support, there are people out there that want to take advantage of you, and one of the easiest ways to do that is to lie.
Con artists lie about being in trouble to get money from you. Politicians may lie to try and get your vote. Scammers on the internet pose as a Nigerian prince to take away your livelihood. Make no mistake, these people are out there, and they are always plotting.
This is where cynicism has its greatest value. Being skeptical of the things you encounter in life is the best way to avoid a scenario where you are tricked into losing something valuable, even if that valuable thing is just your time.
This is not to say you should never believe or trust anyone at all. There are liars out there, but there are honest people as well. It’s just that you should always confirm everything that is told or presented to you. Don’t take things at face value, make sure there is evidence out there to support the things you want to believe.
Cynicism: Why It Can Be Dangerous
There are obviously many downfalls to being too trusting of others, especially strangers. But there’s just as much harm in being too suspicious of everyone around you. There’s nothing wrong with being skeptical of things until they can be confirmed, but a refusal to believe anyone or anything will greatly diminish your happiness in life.
If you can’t trust anyone, you can’t really have friends or the valuable support of even your own family. Moreover, it’s very easy to adopt a bleak outlook on life and the world if you firmly believe no one can be trusted or believed.
Don’t just buy anything some stranger tells you. But don’t convince yourself that no one is telling the truth under any circumstances. Cynicism is fine to have but in moderation.
Stoicism: Why It Has Value
Stoicism is often considered to be the trait of a “real man.” Having a stiff upper lip during all trials and hardships, as it were. Never shedding a tear, never getting emotional, never showing any weakness. There are situations in which this kind of behavior is desirable.
For instance, perhaps you are viewed as a figure of solace by someone else. Maybe you are the leader of a team or the cornerstone of your family. Perhaps you are in charge of something important, and people look to you as a rock of emotional support. Stoicism has its value here.
When everyone else is panicking, the stoic’s calm demeanor can help inspire confidence. When others are sad or angry, the stoic’s resilience and fortitude can be comforting. When emotions are running high and a logical decision needs to be made, stoicism helps one make a rational choice.
Stoicism is often viewed as a facet of emotional strength, and that strength can help others in many ways. However, just like cynicism, it has its downsides if one does not practice moderation.
Stoicism: Why It Can be Dangerous
Stoicism is all about maintaining a calm and unaffected demeanor even during times of great stress or emotion. However, this is often confused with actually being unfeeling. People can often take stoicism so far that it turns into a complete lack of empathy for others.
When that happens, stoicism becomes toxic, and of far more harm to both yourself and those around you than a boon. Emotions are important, and while there are times when it is best to not be overcome by them, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t feel them at all.
There’s a big difference between not showing your emotions and not feeling them at all. If people feel that you don’t feel regret for your mistakes, sadness or anger for things that have happened, or concern for the well-being of others, chances are, they won’t want to be near you and they certainly won’t trust you with their feelings.
Overpowering stoicism is especially bad if you are a role model for others. In moderation, stoicism can teach others to maintain control of their emotions when appropriate. But too much stoicism can lead others to believe that feeling emotions at all is unacceptable, and that’s a one-way ticket to serious issues in life, not to mention therapy.
Cynicism Versus Stoicism: Conclusion
When taking the cynicism vs. stoicism question into consideration, the only real opposition the two have is their different meanings. Considering the differences, there’s no reason to believe the two are mutually exclusive. You can be both cynical and stoic, without either of them really affecting the other.
In fact, we firmly believe that a healthy dose of both stoicism and cynicism is good for anyone. The two principles can ensure you live a life with a lot less duping and emotional burnout. However, it’s all about moderation: allow both stoicism and cynicism to be a part of your personality, but don’t let them completely dominate who you are.
For every moment it pays to be cynical or stoic, there’s a moment where it pays to be trusting and emotionally open. Don’t forget that.
References
Stoicism and Cynicism: Lessons, Similarities and Differences
https://philosophy.lander.edu/ethics/stoicism.html
