Pragmatism

T

Ted M P

New member
I'm in one of those situations where you have to make a tough decision and no matter what you choose its going to be equally shitty. The specifics arent important.....what my question is...do you all think that the 'story book' approach to life and love applies here in the real world....or that we should base our decisions on rational thinking?
 
I would go for rational. Story books are fantasies, that's it. Real life is unfortunately not nearly as cool or convenient. Story books tend to confuse rational people into thinking the most absurd things, hence the insane divorice rate in the USA for example. As much as I'd love to side with the story books, I love reading and fantasy, real life is not like that. I hope whatever decision you make it works out for the better in the long run. Good luck.
 
when i said 'story book' I wasnt being literal...I guess I meant 'Ideal'....Like 'Idealy' everything works out in the end. So should we live our lives in expectance of the ideal or should we submit to pragmatism.

sorry for the confusion
 
I figured you meant that, and I still stand by what I said. Pragmatism is best, if hardest to accept. In the long run pragmatism usually wins out over Ideals.
 
It's called a story because that's exactly what it is. You can try to live for the ideal but you'll only end up being dissapointed with the life you lead.

The chances are that you will never be rich, famous, significant or whatever it is we're all supposed to aspire too. And if you do become one or all or a combination, I think you'd find out that it probably wasn't worth it.

It's better to live a life based on acceptance and reality. There are things in your life that will suck. There always will be. Accept that fact and be as happy as you know how to be.

So I say go for pragmatism. Idealism leads to feelings of inadequacy, incompitence and general despair.
 
But doesnt that seem like you're not doing all that you could....like in the end you would have regrets.....I aspire to be ready to die....Thats my main aspiration. I guess my problem with pragmatism is that I've always been of the opinion that anything could happen....So with passing on ideal situations...I'd be left regretting. I guess I just wish that I could be apathetic towards all the little bullshit like I pretend to be.
 
For starters there is no "ideal" situation. No "ideal" opportunities. Everything has a cost. There's the stuff that looks great and no, you don't pass on those. Being pragmatic doesn't mean apathetic.

Be pragmatic and enjoy your life. Do what you want to do, be happy doing it and enjoy yourself. Just realize that the perfect life doesn't exist and that sometimes you have to be happy with what you have instead of wishing you had more. That's pragmatic.
 
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