It’s no surprise that people called him ‘doggish’, dog-like, or simply ‘the dog’. He practiced what he preached, behaving obscenely, with no regard for convention. Therefore, we should strip ourselves of these corrupting man made constructs, so we’re able to live how we’re supposed to live: in agreement with nature.ĭiogenes’ stance toward everything cultured was very obvious. He believed that human society infused us with all kinds of unnatural desires that are not only obsolete, but also prevent us from being happy. When you think of philosophy, the shameless behavior of Diogenes the Cynic probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind.ĭiogenes strongly opposed social values and institutions, because, according to him, these are at odds with human nature. On top of that, he defecated, urinated, and even sexually gratified himself in public. He ridiculed people on the streets, disrespected authority, broke with all forms of etiquette, and didn’t care about personal hygiene. It may just change your life.Video script of ‘Diogenes | The Philosopher Who Urinated On People’ The Iliad is a great read, but reading about a figure like Diogenes is just as pleasurable. We have enough Iliads we need more volumes like this one. When I first saw this volume being produced, it was exciting to see a publishing house coming out with Cynic material instead of the next translation of the Iliad. The end notes of the volume are essential to grasping an understanding of the text and it is recommended that the reader cross-reference with the end notes for each passage. The material is made from actual quotes and snippets from the Ancient Authors themselves. Oxford has done a fantastic job in this volume of getting to the root of what Cynicism is all about without resorting to becoming a secondary source book. Because the book is constructed using aphorisms and segments of works, it makes good sense to categorize the pieces into sections like these, and it really streamlines the message of Cynicism a great deal. The Cynic perspective can be glimpsed from looking at some of the section titles of this brilliant (and brave) compilation from Oxford World Classics: The Sage as Beggar, A Shortcut to Philosophy and Virtue, The World of Illusion, Politicians and Rulers, Diogenes as Wit, Old Age & Death, amongst others. See his work here: What Is Ancient Philosophy? by Pierre Hadot If Ancient Philosophy was more about lifestyle (as Pierre Hadot would have it) than theory, Cynicism is a perfect example of a _living_ philosophy. Aristippus, who is part of this volume and compliments Diogenes and his Cynic gang, is a very good example of a lesser known philosopher who had a profound influence (think Epicurus) and is interesting in his own way. Traditionally, ancient philosophy has focused on the “big” philosophers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, but that is doing a disservice to many other thinkers whose influence was quite extraordinary in its own light. It is critical to understand the Cynics and Diogenes if you want to understand ancient thought. If much of this seems to have commonalities with religious sects and their message, it is no mistake - Cynicism was a missionary philosophy (though not religious by any means). This is the only way to begin to cure the ailments of the world. The Cynics' job was to show others how to “See the world aright” and begin living in accordance with Virtue. Diogenes and his entourage made it the objective of their lives to provide an honest (parrhesia), prophetic, and corrective assessment of the world as they saw it - prideful, misguided, ill, clouded. Much of Ancient Cynicism can be encapsulated in the phrase “Coming to see the world as it is…”.
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