Abstract:
In dealing with the human capability to improve reality, there are both pessimistic and optimistic views. Pessimistic views include the ancient Greek tragedies and the second law of thermodynamics according to which the level of chaos, or enthropy, increases in any closed system. Optimistic views include the modern Western belief in progress through human control over nature, through technology. Optimistic views are found in some postmodern chaos theories. The Nedcor- Old Mutual Scenarios of 1992 presented an optimistic view. The scenarios advocated massive investment in socio-economic programmes in South Africa dealing with housing, electrification, education, job creation and containing HIV/AIDS. The actual results however are disappointing. A more realistic view is found in the Bible: The power of chaos, sin and death is never underestimated and thus one cannot be optimistic. But the Kingdom of God, which began with Jesus Christ, prevents us from becoming pessimistic, and gives us hope. Such an approach would lead to more meaningful results than either an optimistic or a pessimistic approach would achieve.
