Civic honesty around the globe

Such an interesting study. Over the past few years, I encounter daily cynicism about how ‘people are the worst’. But, it is so important to not lose this basic trust in others because that, in fact, is the only true foundation in life. We are all alone in this world and to lose trust in the one, absolutely critical and positive tenet of human life is despairing. People are generally good and even, when they are not, it is all explainable.

Of course, that doesn't show that people aren't "the worst", it just shows that humanism doesn't make much sense if they are.

Other philosophies accept a flawed humanity and find hope in other things.

But most people don't think about it too much, I suspect. They love their dog, their kids, and a couple friends and that's good enough.