French philosopher and writer Voltaire wrote the satire “Candide” in the mid-18th century, against the backdrop of great intellectual, political, and cultural upheaval in Europe. In “Candide,” a young man travels the world, exposed to war, disaster, and cruelty, while his tutor, Dr. Pangloss, continues to insist, “All is for the best in the best of all possible worlds.” Candide’s Pangloss represents blind optimism, even in the face of overwhelming contrary evidence. Voltaire used the character to critique philosophies that explained away human suffering rather than confronting the causes. The adjective “Panglossian” came into use in the 1830s, inspired by this character. It’s usually used in a negative sense, pointing to someone who has an overly rosy outlook while ignoring hard truths. A more recent, softer term is “Pollyanna” also inspired by literature, this nickname credits someone’s optimism to youthful innocence.