I am not exactly sure why "min-maxing" seems to have a negative connotation to you, or you feel the need to call it "optimizing", but the term min-maxing literally comes from minimizing some aspect that you don't care about to maximize an aspect that you do, which is exactly what you're doing here (and there's nothing wrong with that, especially in a computer game). Some people take issue to it in a role-playing game because the character is unrealistic in a world-view sense. Every fighter having a 8 intelligence and a 21 strength isn't very realistic and makes some people groan. However if you want to be the most effective fighter, that's likely how you're going to build them. Those that are opposed to min-maxing are also opposed to always making the most effective character. Min Maxing taken to extremes is something that's generally done in games that have a flaw system or some way to get more points, where you take any negative thing you can that won't have much impact to get better at the thing that you care about most on the character. For example, "I'll take color blind, no sense of smell, paranoia so I can get another +1 to hit and damage with my sword". In pathfinder your options are to tank certain stats you don't care about to maximize stats you do, and then select feats and class abilities that continue to further whatever your maximizing, and that is the definition of min-maxing.
RE: Why is Learning Astronomy a Character-Building Experience?