The Cynics | The Philosopher’s Zone

Intro

In this episode of “The Philosopher’s Zone,” the focus is on the ancient philosophy of cynicism. While cynics in the modern understanding are often seen as negative and pessimistic, ancient cynics were philosophers who embraced a different approach, getting deeply involved in real life. The cynic philosophy began in ancient Greece around 400 BCE with Antisthenes, a pupil of Socrates. This philosophy had a significant influence on Western thought, and its ideas can be traced through the New Testament, Western philosophy, and even to present-day protest groups like Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion.

Main Takeaways

Ancient Cynics and Their Philosophy

• Ancient cynics were philosophers who embraced a different approach to life, getting deeply involved in real life.
• Antisthenes, a pupil of Socrates, was one of the key figures in the development of cynicism.
• Diogenes, another famous cynic, took up the philosophy in Rome and became widely popular.
• Cynic ideas can be traced through the New Testament, Western philosophy, and even to present-day protest groups like Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion.

The Philosophy and Lifestyle of Cynics

• Antisthenes emphasized the importance of personal virtue and self-sufficiency for happiness and flourishing.
• He also advocated for extreme self-denial and austerity in lifestyle.
• Diogenes, known as the most famous cynic, defaced the cultural currency of Athens and embraced a life of extreme simplicity and independence.
• Diogenes lives in a wine jar and deliberately shocks people to critique societal institutions.
• The cynics reject culture but continue to live in cities, inspiring monastic traditions later on.
• There is a parasitic element to the cynic enterprise as they critique the society they live in and depend on begging for survival.

Influence of Cynicism on Western Thought

• The cynics’ rejection of cultural norms and emphasis on egalitarianism is attractive and influential in later Hellenistic philosophical movements, such as the Stoics.
• The cynics’ move from Greece to Rome led to a modification in their conduct, as the Romans valued self-control and self-sufficiency within the context of Roman values and decorum.
• The stoic movement in Rome appealed to various groups, including slaves, former slaves, and the aristocratic class, due to its message of finding happiness and power within oneself, regardless of status or wealth.
• The movement also attracted people with professional jobs who would become weekend cynics, adopting a minimalist lifestyle and living rough.
• The translation of cynicism into the Roman context may have diluted its original extreme message, as seen in the writings of Roman stoics like Seneca and Epictetus.

Cynicism and Early Christianity

• There is a possible cynic influence detectable in the early Christian church, with debate over whether Jesus was a cynic and St. Paul’s knowledge about cynicism.
• Early Christian church and cynicism share similarities in disregarding normal boundaries of wealth, status, ethnicity, and gender.
• Placing cynicism alongside early Christianity highlights the radical nature of the Christian message and the total transformation of life it calls for.
• Both cynics and Christians live in tension with local rules and constraints.
• The cynic movement influenced movements in the early Christian church, leading to the monastic and anchorite traditions.

Contemporary Relevance and Critique of Cynicism

• Cynicism, like all philosophies, adapts over time, and its survival may be attributed to its ability to evolve and resonate with different contexts.
• Cynic practice of parisia, meaning freedom of speech and speaking truth to power, continues to be important in society.
• Performative actions and exhibitionism are part of the cynic tradition and continue in activist groups today.
• The goal of cynicism is to live in accordance with rational nature as human beings, which raises questions about the modern continuation of the tradition.
• The history of vaccinations is marked by controversies over government mandates and personal sovereignty.
• A modern cynical attitude toward vaccinations might include skepticism, resistance to state influence, and a rational decision-making process.

Summary

Ancient Cynics and Their Philosophy

The ancient cynics were philosophers who embraced a different approach to life, getting deeply involved in real life. Antisthenes, a pupil of Socrates, played a key role in the development of cynicism, and Diogenes became widely popular in Rome. The influence of cynic ideas can be seen in various aspects of Western thought, including the New Testament and present-day protest groups.

The Philosophy and Lifestyle of Cynics

Cynics like Antisthenes and Diogenes emphasized personal virtue, self-sufficiency, and extreme self-denial. Diogenes, in particular, lived a life of extreme simplicity and independence, often shocking people to critique societal institutions. Despite rejecting cultural norms, the cynics continued to live in cities, inspiring later monastic traditions.

Influence of Cynicism on Western Thought

The rejection of cultural norms and emphasis on egalitarianism in cynicism had a significant influence on later Hellenistic philosophical movements, such as stoicism. The movement from Greece to Rome led to modifications in cynic conduct to align with Roman values and decorum. Stoicism appealed to various social groups in Rome, and the translation of cynicism into the Roman context may have diluted its original extreme message.

Cynicism and Early Christianity

There are possible influences of cynicism in early Christianity, with debates over whether Jesus was a cynic and St. Paul’s knowledge about cynicism. Both cynics and early Christians disregarded normal boundaries of wealth, status, ethnicity, and gender. Placing cynicism alongside early Christianity highlights the radical nature of the Christian message and its call for total transformation of life. The cynic movement also influenced the development of monastic and anchorite traditions.

Contemporary Relevance and Critique of Cynicism

Cynicism has adapted over time and continues to resonate with different contexts. The practice of parisia, speaking truth to power, remains important in society. Performative actions and exhibitionism, characteristic of the cynic tradition, can be observed in modern activist groups. However, questions arise regarding the modern continuation of cynicism and its goal of living in accordance with rational nature. The cynic attitude towards vaccinations reflects skepticism, resistance to state influence, and rational decision-making processes.

Conclusion

The philosophy of cynicism, despite its modern negative connotations, had a significant impact on Western thought and continues to resonate in various aspects of society. From its origins in ancient Greece to its influence on early Christianity and contemporary relevance, cynicism offers insights into personal virtue, self-sufficiency, and speaking truth to power. While cynicism has faced criticism for its extreme behavior and lack of concrete plans for reform, its ability to adapt and engage with different contexts has allowed it to survive and influence philosophical and social movements throughout history.