I feel a need to write something to differentiate two very different things.
I often hear of individuals who choose to believe the best of others, who choose to believe that whatever happens, does for a good reason and in the end the eventual outcome of all events will be positive. I also usually hear these same people referred to as "naive" or as "innocent." I don't believe it.
A naive individual is one who is ignorant. Naivete implies that one does not know, does not understand the truth of the world. An innocent person, likewise remains enclosed within a bubble where all is good.
I do not believe the majority of people who believe firmly in their positive overview of the world are like this at all... Rather, I would argue that most people know that believing in the good over the bad results many times in disappointment.
Having an idealized perspective of the world is one that is difficult to hold, it requires a truly thinking and intelligent person to willingly forgo their own instincts, overlook that voice of cynicism and believe. Really, truly believe in another person.
I believe that this perspective of the world is not naivete, rather it is optimism. When one is optimistic, one knows that there is a 70% chance that they will get ripped off or that a negative outcome will occur. However, there is also that 30% chance that humanity is worth believing in, that people are trustworthy. This form of optimism seems foolish when looked at in this light, but it runs deeper.
When one truly believes in humanity, when one has faith in their fellow creatures, that person is treating us as an all-merciful God would. Through faith in mankind, faith in God is strengthened... and that "optimism" becomes something more, it becomes prayer.