An optimist thinks that this is the best possible world. A pessimist fears that this is true.

Questions for discussion:

~ What is the difference between pessimists and optimists?

~ Are you a pessimist or an optimist? Why?

~ What do you typically do if things come tough? (shut down completely; turn to friends/family for support; remind yourself to focus on the good things in your life instead of the bad; try to look at it from different angles in order to come up with a solution; refuse to give up, no matter how tough things get)

~ Why do people become pessimists or optimists (under necessity of circumstances, because of inborn features of character, etc)? Can optimism be a self-taught thing?