"Optimism or Pessimism" Henry Frank & Percy Ward 1925 (No. 762 - Little Blue Book)
 
In this philosophical exploration, Henry Frank and Percy Ward weigh the practical merits of hope against the sobering reality of human suffering to determine which outlook offers a more sustainable path for the modern individual. Rejecting the extremes of blind, "Pollyanna" cheerfulness and the paralyzing gloom of total despair, the authors argue for a rationalized worldview grounded in secular ethics and scientific understanding. They emphasize that while life is objectively indifferent and fraught with hardship, a measured, constructive optimism is the only "reasonable" choice because it provides the psychological agency necessary for social and personal progress. Ultimately, the text serves as a call to meliorism, suggesting that the most logical person is one who acknowledges the world's flaws yet acts with the determined belief that human effort can actively improve the conditions of existence.