Diogenes: The Most Eccentric Philosopher

Credits:
Host - Simon Whistler
Author - Steve Theunissen
Producer - Jennifer Da Silva
Executive Producer - Shell Harris

This video is sponsored by Brilliant.

Other Biographics Videos:

Albert Einstein: A Pillar of Modern Physics

Satoshi Nakamoto: The Mysterious Founder of Bitcoin

Source/Further reading:

James Miller: Examined Lives
Stoic; The Cynics: Diogenes Laertus
Diogenes the Cynic: Luis E. Navia

[snakeySnakeybakey]

According to Greek sources, after Alexander said: "why, If I were not Alexander, I would wish to be Diogenes" Diogenes replied: "and if I were not Diogenes, I would wish to be Diogenes"

[bankster]

Greek here, one small detail, which I see most non-greek documentaries about Diogenes fail to mention:

Diogenes's exact answer to Alexander in Greek was: "Αποσκότησόν με", which literally means "un-darken me". However, that verb has both a literal and a metaphorical interpretation.

Alexander, as the great king that he portraited himself, promised to give Diogenes anything that he would wish for. Upon hearing that, Diogenes requested that he "be removed from the darkness" of ignorance, aka be enlightened. Alexander, realizing that even he couldn't possibly give Diogenes any knowledge that he didn't already possess, walked away mumbling.

[xoACEox]

Its also said he used to sit at the front of Platos lectures and eat loudly.

[roseredthorns]

"in a rich man's house there is no place to spit but his face" - based Diogenes

[donaldgoodinson]

Simon, you missed out the story when he was roaming the streets during daylight with a lighted lamp. When asked what he was doing he replied 'looking for an honest man

[blueberrymcphuckerson]

00:12:38 You forgot the best part: Diogenes' response to Alexander's wish to be him. In response, Diogenes said "Yes, if I also was Alexander the Great *_I, too, would wish to be Diogenes."_*

[willsplayify]

"you are too powerful to need me and I am too self sufficient to need you"
WTH This mad man, he speaks to Alexander as an equal.

[JimLockwoodShow]

I love this philosopher. He was the troll of the ancient world

[Daniel-kqbx]

Random guy: Please dont spit inside my mansion Diogenes

Diogenes : Peace was never an option

[beau-tiful]

*runs in with a featherless chicken*

BEHOLD A MAN!!!

*Throws chicken on the ground and leaves*

[StraboSE]

I respect anyone who spanks it in a barrel in the middle of town.

[Frosty-yyoq]

My favorite quote of his was said when we was rummaging through bones. Alexander asked him what he was doing and he replied: "I am searching for the bones of your father but cannot distinguish them from those of a slave."

[pauls]

Diogenes roasted Plato with that that chicken gag.

[marloyorkrodriguez]

I remember Diogenes once reprimanding a harlot’s son when the kid spat on him, the philosopher said ‘careful now you might spat on your father’

[edstirling]

diogenes sounds like a character will ferrell should be playing in his next movie.

[joshuamonroe]

Diogenes also found a woman bowing to a statue of a God to which he replied, "Are you not afraid good woman, with the gods being omnipresent, that by attempting to show your virtue, you are in fact showing your arse?"

He has also been quoted as saying "Blushing is the color of virtue."
(Probably said after the woman became embarrassed at what he had just pointed out.)

[karlamay_]

I could only imagine Diogenes replying to Alexander:

"If I was you, I wanna be me too..."

[nmarrs]

My man knew the value in not being tied down material things.

[dorianphilotheates]

The standard of a culture’s greatness is indicated by the degree to which it respects its bums...

[snoookie]

Rarely I find proper content on my favorite philosopher. Thanks for doing your research and formulating this video in such a way, it's a breath of fresh air to see a serious take on the subjects I'm most interested in.