Skepticism had its place, but we should not lose sight of the possibility that some beliefs were both necessary and beneficial--a belief in human goodness being a prime example of this. There were plenty of grounds to doubt human goodness; but if one ceased to believe in it, then we would lose the comfort of trust. And people needed their scraps of comfort in this world if they were to be able to deal with hardship and disappointment.
The passage suggests that while skepticism is useful, it is equally important to recognize that some beliefs are vital and advantageous to our well-being. Among these beliefs is the faith in human goodness. The text acknowledges that there are many reasons to doubt the inherent goodness of people, but losing that belief could lead to a lack of trust and comfort in relationships.
This trust is essential for navigating the challenges and disappointments of life. The idea presented is that in order to cope with hardships, individuals need to cling to certain comforting beliefs, such as the goodness of others. Thus, maintaining a level of optimism and belief in humanity can provide the emotional support necessary to face adversities.
