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Words that come to mind are:

  • zen-like
  • naturalist
  • accepting

but perhaps there is a more scholarly/accurate/electric word I can publish. These people are not ignorant or unable; they are reasonably intelligent, logical and capable, they just believe 'live and let live' is a better option than 'make the best of every situation.'

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    Depending on what "skew" you want, maybe fatalists or pragmatists.
    – FumbleFingers
    Jul 9, 2019 at 13:47
  • You could use nonchalant or insouciant.
    – Arshiya
    Jul 9, 2019 at 13:48
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    I think you need to give an example sentence with your potential word, or these folks tend to close your question.
    – fundagain
    Jul 9, 2019 at 17:01
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    What's an electric word? Did you mean eclectic maybe?
    – RegDwigнt ♦
    Jul 9, 2019 at 18:32
  • @RegDwigнt make sure you put a 20A fuse on that word!
    – Carly
    Jul 9, 2019 at 18:58

2 Answers 2

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Stoic comes to mind. There's an entry on stoicism in Wikipedia:

According to its teachings, as social beings, the path to eudaimonia (happiness) for humans is found in accepting the moment as it presents itself, by not allowing oneself to be controlled by the desire for pleasure or fear of pain, by using one's mind to understand the world and to do one's part in nature's plan, and by working together and treating others fairly and justly.

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  • Thank you! It's not a very exciting word or active word, but it's a lot better than "accepting." I'm also a bit surprised at that definition...I thought stoic was more apathetic then that...but that is why I'm asking these question--thanks for your help.
    – Christopher
    Jul 9, 2019 at 16:53
  • I think "stoic" is philosophically more aligned with discipline and neutrality, achieved by acknowldging the wisdom of accepting whatever comes to pass. "Que sera sera". Webster puts it "free from passion [discipline], unmoved (emotionally) [neutral], and then yes "submissive to natural law". Yes, it is apathetic (see definition 2: merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stoic)
    – Carly
    Jul 9, 2019 at 18:58
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I would say, Taoist. Basically, 'before you build a bridge, ask is a bridge necessary in the first place,' and 'a tiger chooses to either strike or not strike, it does not fail to strike.'

We have -ist, -ism, and the root with no suffix at play (i.e., Taoist, Toaism, and Tao).

Wikipedia on Toaism:

a [philosophy] which emphasizes living in harmony with the Tao

And Tao:

Tao is the natural order of the universe whose character one’s human intuition must discern in order to realize the potential for individual wisdom. This intuitive knowing of “life” cannot be grasped as a concept; it is known through actual living experience of one’s everyday being.

I think the Webster definition about long life and fortune through magic is suspect, but it is not really a secular term. "Zen like" is very similar (via Buddhism). "Naturalist" I would say is not, its more like a green heart hippy vibe, idk. "Accepting" is just a gerund, cmon, now.

@FumbleFingers "fatalist" is also good.

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  • Thanks for the word and definition, for me! It does not fit this need, however, because a Taoist is actually doing something, conscious, or deliberately programmed to do it. I'm looking of a word that describes someone who does nothing because he has been 'burned' into apathy, or lacks enough interest to even try. I believe a Taoist has 'learned' what he is passionate about doing....
    – Christopher
    Aug 2, 2019 at 14:43

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