They rejected any conventional notions of happiness involving money, power, or fame, in the pursuit of virtuous, and thus happy, lives. In rejecting conventional social values, they would criticise the types of behaviours, such as greed, which they viewed as causing suffering.” And there were other things they stood for, like cosmopolitanism, freedom of speech, a woman’s right to choose her mate, constitutional law, and-as the name indicates-emulating the simple behaviors of dogs. By the 19th century, however, emphasis shifted to the negative aspects of the philosophy, leading to the modern understanding of cynicism to mean “a disposition of disbelief in the sincerity or goodness of human motives and actions.” Boo.Īnd what is the connection with dogs? Well, the term “cynic” derives from the Greek word kynikos which means “dog-like”.
DIOGENES STATUE FREE
They sought to free themselves from conventions become self-sufficient and live only in accordance with nature. According to The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, “classical Cynics regarded virtue as the only necessity for happiness. Like a lot of things, the meaning of the word “cynic” has evolved to be something negative in our modern world. Now hold on, before we go any further, just because Diogenes was a Cynic, don’t start thinking of him as the original “Debbie Downer”. After that, Alexander declared “If I were not Alexander, then I should wish to be Diogenes”, to which Diogenes replied “If I were not Diogenes, I should also wish to be Diogenes.” Well, okay then! When he met Alexander the Great, who was thrilled to meet the famous philosopher, and was asked if there was anything he could do for him, Diogenes replied “Yes, stand out of my sunlight.” Nice. He was known for stunts like carrying a lamp around in the daytime, claiming to be looking for an honest man. He was the kind of guy you’d meet and probably think to yourself “What a jerk!” and then realize, well, he’s got a good point. A rebel, he turned his back on his banker father and chose to separate himself from regular society by living in a jar in the middle of town and hanging out with dogs. And I’m not just talking about a caveman with a dog for protection and survival, but the ways that they’ve helped to shape our thinking and philosophy…ĭiogenes of Sinope was a Greek philosopher and one of the founders of Cynic philosophy. It seems that at every turn, there’s something about a dog’s role in our evolution. I don’t know about you, but I find it to be so incredibly fascinating how dogs are woven into human history.
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