The philosophy of cynicism - William D. Desmond

Explore the ancient Greek philosophy of cynicism, which calls for the rejection of materialism and conformity in favor of a simple life.

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In the 4th century BCE, a young Diogenes of Sinope was found to be counterfeiting coins. He was stripped of his citizenship, his money, all his possessions and sent into exile. He decided he would live self-sufficiently, close to nature, without materialism, vanity, or conformity and only then could he be truly free. William D. Desmond details how Diogenes gave rise to the philosophy of cynicism.

Lesson by William D. Desmond, directed by Avi Ofer.

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[simeonsimov]

“I pissed on the man who called me a dog. Why was he so surprised?” - Diogenes

[eilam]

"We live in a society"
-Diogenes

[SollowP]

Another great quote from Diogenes was about his funeral.

When asked how he wished to be buried, he left instructions to be thrown outside the city wall so wild animals could feast on his body. When asked if he minded this, he said, “Not at all, as long as you provide me with a stick to chase the creatures away!” When asked how he could use the stick since he would lack awareness, he replied “If I lack awareness, then why should I care what happens to me when I am dead?”

[dillonfulhart]

I just realized that you can, at least partially, draw a line between cynicism, stoicism and modern minimalism, In the way that every of these philosophies seeks ultimate goal of simplifying life in order to live it fully.

[saidtoshimaru]

"Diogenes, if you learn to praise the emperor you wouldn't be eating lentils"
"And if you learn to live of lentils you needn't have to praise the emperor".

[govinddaa]

I am wonderstruck by how the meaning of a cynic has changed over time. From being a carefree, non materialistic person wanting to be more closer to the nature, to something that is considered as an insult in recent times, making ppl act out of self interest. I love the way in which the meaning took a different course in time

[NoneNone-rjbs]

"We live in a society."

Diogenes: "Do we *REALLY* though?"

[poweroffriendship.]

_"Inside every cynical person, there is a disappointed idealist."_

*~ George Carlin*

[davyroger]

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

[muskilaasaan]

“I have nothing to ask but that you would remove to the other side, that you may not, by intercepting the sunshine, take from me what you cannot give.”
― Diogenes

[jaspervanheycop]

I like the other Alexander exchange even better. After getting told to get out of Diogenes sunlight, Alexander (supposedly) was so impressed that he said "If I could be any man other than Alexander, I'd wish to be Diogenes". Then Diogenes replied "If I were Alexander, I'd also want to be Diogenes". It's just so savage.

[derkaiser]

My favorite story of Diogenes was this: The question; What is the most simple way to explain a man? Plato said humans are a featherless biped. Diogenes storms into his school as he is teaching with a dead plucked chicken and yells 'Behold, Plato's man.' Haha gold.

[sigeomeg]

There's a great illustration of Diogenes' philosophy I haven't seen anyone mention here in the comments : At some point in his life, Diogenes had a cup to drink as his only posession.
Then he saw a dog drink rain water from a puddle and he threw away the cup, asking himself "What do I need this for?"
I like that tale, truly shows his reject of materialism

[zakosist]

This isn't what I expected "cynicism" to be at all, not the image I get in my head. Really fascinating story. Seems a lot of things change from what they originally started as

[swarnim.]

So basically Diogenes was the first hippie.

[TheCoffeeNut]

Its amazing how much stress we go through by living like everyone else.

[Emolederc]

the girl protesting on tv to be more earth friendly 3:21 is the same girl enjoying sunset with the dolphins. I just liked the continuity there

[christian_]

I love the way that TedEd covers controversial topics so sophisticatedly. Every time I think that they’re about to cross the line or simplify the narrative so that it’s suitable for a broader audience, they always find a way to make it intelligent and coherent. I love you guys! <3 (:

[fulviopontarollo]

And what about the story of Diogenes, Plato and the cup? That’s a fantastic one
“Plato was discoursing on his theory of ideas and, pointing to the cups on the table before him, said while there are many cups in the world, there is only one 'idea' of a cup, and this cupness precedes the existence of all particular cups. "I can see the cups on the table, " said Diogenes, "but I can't see the 'cupness'".
"That's because you have the eyes to see the cup, " said Plato, "but", tapping his head with his forefinger, "you don't have the intellect with which to comprehend 'cupness'."
Diogenes walked up to the table, examined a cup and, looking inside, asked, "Is it empty?" Plato nodded. "Where is the 'emptiness' which precedes this empty cup?" asked Diogenes. Plato allowed himself a few moments to collect his thoughts, but Diogenes reached over and, tapping Plato's head with his finger, said "I think you will find here is the 'emptiness'".”

[IbnAlBassam]

“Once he saw the officials of a temple leading away some one who had stolen a bowl belonging to the treasurers, and said, "The great thieves are leading away the little thief.”
― Diogenes