Many people believe things are bad and will likely get worse. And who can blame them? Global environmental problems, the rise of authoritarian leaders, and the ongoing pandemic suggest they’re right. Philosopher Dr Hanno Sauer (UU) explains why we’re naturally inclined to be pessimistic, and what we can do about it. He’s optimistic himself: there is moral progress in the world, and we’re likely to see more of it in the future. We merely need to allow it to happen.