History Main / FourPhilosophyEnsemble

* ''LonelyWerewolfGirl'': Daniel (Cynic), Moonglow (Realist), Vex (Optimist) and Kalix (Apathetic).

** ''Most Common Perspective'': BlackAndGreyMorality

* '''TheCynic'''

* '''TheOptimist'''

The dynamics for this trope are very effective because it combines the best parts of a RedOniBlueOni (The Cynic vs. The Optimist) and a PowerTrio, (The Cynic ''(Ego)'' - The Realist ''(Superego)'' - The Optimist ''(Id)'') placing The Realist in between the two opposing views, along with a fourth member (The Apathetic) to contrast all of them at once, including a fourth dimension to the argument, and even the potential for a fifth to be conflicted over the issue, often resulting in a ThreePlusTwo. All of this in a package that can even be coupled with the FourTemperamentEnsemble for double the fun. This is [[SeriousBusiness some serious]] CastCalculus. Basically the trope is this:

* ''ChriniclesOfNarnia'': Peter is Cynic, Lucy is Optimist, Susan is Realist, Edmund is Conflicted in the first book/movie, and then is The Apathetic, or support Realist in the second.

* OrderOfTheStick gives V as Cynic, Elan as Optimist, Roy and Durkon as Realists, and Belkar as Apathetic. Haley is initially also Apathetic, but eventually becomes a second Cynic (though a street smart one, to contrast with V's book smarts).

* ''ChroniclesOfNarnia'': Peter is Cynic, Lucy is Optimist, Susan is Realist, Edmund is Conflicted in the first book/movie, and then is The Apathetic, or support Realist in the second.

* ''ChriniclesOfNarnia'': Peter is Cynic, Lucy is Optimist, Susan is Realist, Edmund is Conflicted in the first book/movie, and then is The Apathetic, or support Realist in the second.

** Realist: McCoy

* ''SuckerPunch'': Sweat Pea as the Cynic, Rocket as the Optimist, Baby Doll as the Realist, Amber as the Apathetic, Blondie as the Conflicted.

* ''SuckerPunch'': Sweat Pea as the Cynic, Rocket as the Optimist, BabyDoll as the Realist, Amber as the Apathetic, Blondie as the Conflicted.

* SuckerPunch: Sweat Pea as the Cynic, Rocket as the Optimist, BabyDoll as the Realist, Amber as the Apathetic, Blondie as the Conflicted.

Situation: Our group is on an Adventure InSpace, when suddenly they get pelted with space debris, their propulsion system is destroyed and they realize they are on a collision coarse with a meteor with very little maneuvering capabilities.

Situation: [[FiveManBand Our group]] is on an Adventure InSpace, when suddenly they get pelted with space debris, their propulsion system is destroyed and they realize they are on a collision coarse with a meteor with very little maneuvering capabilities.

Compare CastCalculus, MoralityKitchenSink, SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism, FourTemperamentEnsemble, FourElementEnsemble, FiveManBand.----

* [[TheLancer The Cynic]] proposes they dump the ship and all their belongings and escape in space pods, even if it means leaving that urgently needed medicine they are transporting on board to be destroyed.
* [[TheBigGuy The Optimist]] finds this idea appalling and insists that either they will fix the ship in time to get out of the way or what maneuvering capability they have will be enough, usually without any evidence to support this idea.
* [[TheHero The Realist]] goes over the pros and cons of the situation, calming down the argument to the point where actual decision making can happen. Eventually he chooses a side or proposes a third option everyone can live with. This may lead to acting on whatever plan he supports.
* [[TheSmartGuy The Apathetic]] may be a mechanic running about in the background, frantically trying to fix the propulsion systems with little time to think of anything else. Another portrayal is as an enigmatic passenger, watching the proceedings with bemusement, seemingly unaware of the danger. Alternatively they are gathering up their things, hopping in an escape pod without consulting anyone and saying "It's been real guys, see ya." Then again, they might just be insane.
* [[TheChick The Conflicted]], should there be one, will be on the verge of tears throughout the ordeal. They may be in the corner quietly worrying, wanting to to believe in The Optimist, but unable to stay strong when faced with everything that can go wrong. It might be that rather than distress over the situation, just as bad or worse is the way it has split the members of the group against each other. Conversely, they might just opt to scream "What are we going to do!?" in the background without contributing anything constructive.

Compare CastCalculus, MoralityKitchenSink, SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism, FourTemperamentEnsemble, FourElementEnsemble, FiveManBand. They don't have to match up with the links. [[CowboyBebop Cowboy Bebop]] is a prime example of a shuffle - only [[MissFanservice The Lancer]] matches up.
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Situation: Our group is on an Adventure InSpace, when suddenly they get pelted with space debris, their propulsion system is destroyed and they realize they are on a collision coarse with a meteor with very little maneuvering capabilities.

* The Cynic proposes they dump the ship and all their belongings and escape in space pods, even if it means leaving that urgently needed medicine they are transporting on board to be destroyed.
* The Optimist finds this idea appalling and insists that either they will fix the ship in time to get out of the way or what maneuvering capability they have will be enough, usually without any evidence to support this idea.
* The Realist goes over the pros and cons of the situation, calming down the argument to the point where actual decision making can happen. Eventually he chooses a side or proposes a third option everyone can live with. This may lead to acting on whatever plan he supports.
* The Apathetic may be a mechanic running about in the background, frantically trying to fix the propulsion systems with little time to think of anything else. Another portrayal is as an enigmatic passenger, watching the proceedings with bemusement, seemingly unaware of the danger. Alternatively they are gathering up their things, hopping in an escape pod without consulting anyone and saying "It's been real guys, see ya." Then again, they might just be insane.
* The Conflicted, should there be one, will be on the verge of tears throughout the ordeal. They may be in the corner quietly worrying, wanting to to believe in The Optimist, but unable to stay strong when faced with everything that can go wrong. It might be that rather than distress over the situation, just as bad or worse is the way it has split the members of the group against each other. Conversely, they might just opt to scream "What are we going to do!?" in the background without contributing anything constructive.

Compare CastCalculus, MoralityKitchenSink, SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism, FourTemperamentEnsemble, FourElementEnsemble, FiveManBand.

!!!Occasionally the group will be joined by a fifth, called The Conflicted to make a FiveManBand, or the The Conflicted will replace The Apathetic.

** At the beginning of season 2 is was: Rossiu as Cynic, Kittan was Optimist, Simon was Realist and Viral is Apathetic, then it turned into Gimy as Cynic, Simon/Kittan as Optimist, Leeron/Yoko as Realist and Lordgenome as Apathetic. Maybe.

* ''CowboyBebop'': Faye as Cynic, Spike as Optimist, Jet as Realist, Ed as Apathetic.

* ''CowboyBebop'': Spike as Cynic, Faye as Optimist, Jet as Realist, Ed as Apathetic.

* The Apathetic may be a mechanic running about in the background, frantically trying to fix the propulsion systems with little time to think of anything else. Another portrayal is as an enigmatic passenger, watching the proceedings with bemusement, seemingly unaware of apathetic of the danger. Alternatively they are gathering up their things, hopping in an escape pod without consulting anyone and saying "It's been real guys, see ya." Then again, they might just be insane.