Sentence:  When I question them as to what they mean by concepts like liberty and democracy , I find that they fall into two categories : the simpler ones who have simply accepted the shibboleths of their faith without analysis ; and the intelligent , <WSD>cynical</WSD> ones who scornfully reply that these things do n't count any more in the world of to-day . 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  believing the worst of human nature and motives; having a sneering disbelief in e.g. selflessness of others