I recognise that excerpt. The Gods Themselves, by Asimov. Of his works that I've read, "optimistic" is not the word I would associate with this particular book

I recognise that excerpt. The Gods Themselves, by Asimov. Of his works that I've read, "optimistic" is not the word I would associate with this particular book. It is cynical from the outset, with even the prologue making a point that scientific progress is mostly achieved out of spite. As for the solution to the problem in the book ... IIRC it happens mostly by accident. The underlying tone in the story is that despite the importance of scientific advances, the driving force is always that of a personal vendetta. After all, in the story Lamont spends his career seeking revenge, trying to find a way to shoot the messenger of the uninformed and dangerous view. Optimistic? I prefer jaded. EDIT: originally I remembered it was a Heinlein book. Changed to Asimov.