On a scale from Optimist to Pessimist, what would be exactly in the middle?

Question

I am exploring the theoretical character differences between an optimist, pessimist and an idealist. Originally I had thought that an idealist would really sit in the middle of the other two, but now I’m second guessing myself. I am basically looking for a noun of a person that tries to make things the best they can possibly be, but also is not blind to or fearful of tackling any obstacles needed to overcome to get there, ultimately trying to achieve a balance, harmony, equilibrium etc. Would that be an idealist or something else?

nouns single word requests synonyms

user405662 · Accepted Answer

Perhaps this is the word you're looking for:

The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.

{William Arthur Ward}
Collins defines realist thus:

A realist is someone who recognizes and accepts the true nature of a situation and tries to deal with it in a practical way.

EDIT

Many thanks to @Lawrence for highlighting the distinction between idealist and realist, which was vital for a comprehensive answer.

crobar · Answer

Perhaps "pragmatist" is somewhere in the middle, neither optimistic nor pessimistic but concerned more with matters of fact than with what could or should be.

On a scale from Optimist to Pessimist, what would be exactly in the middle?

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