Pessimism: A History and a Criticism is a book written by James Sully that explores the concept of pessimism throughout history. The book examines the origins of pessimism in ancient philosophy, tracing its development through the Middle Ages and the Enlightenment, and into the modern era. It also discusses the various forms of pessimism, including philosophical, aesthetic, and cultural pessimism.Sully's book offers a critical analysis of pessimism, questioning its assumptions and exploring its limitations. He argues that while pessimism can be a useful tool for understanding the world, it can also lead to a sense of hopelessness and despair. Sully also explores the relationship between pessimism and other philosophical concepts, such as nihilism, skepticism, and existentialism.Overall, Pessimism: A History and a Criticism is a comprehensive and thought-provoking exploration of a complex and often misunderstood philosophical concept. It offers readers a deeper understanding of the origins and development of pessimism, as well as a critical perspective on its potential benefits and drawbacks.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.