Have You Been Influenced By Cynics?

Effect on Their Way of Life

While such elements of Cynic philosophy  opposition  to materialism and self-indulgence may in themselves have been viewed as being commendable, the Cynics took their ideas to extremes.  This is evident in the life of the best-known Cynic-the philosopher Diogenes.

Diogenes was born in 412 B.C.E. in Sinope, a city on the  Black Sea.  With his father he moved to Athens, where he came in contact with the teachings of the Cynic. Diogenes was taught by Antisthenes and became consumed with Cynic philosophy.  Socrates led a simple life, and Antisthenes an austere one. Diogenes, though, led an ascetic life.  To emphasize his rejection of material comforts, Diogenes reputedly lived for a short time in a tub!

 In searching for the ultimate good, Diogenes is said to have walked through Athens in broad daylight with a lighted lamp looking for a virtuous person!   Such behavior attracted attention and was a means by which Diogenes and the other Cynics taught.  It is said that Alexander the Great once asked Diogenes what he wanted most.  Diogenes reportedly said that he simply wanted Alexander to step aside so as to not block the sunshine!

Diogenes and the other Cynics lived as beggars.  They had no time for normal human relationships, and they rejected civic duties.  Perhaps influenced by the Socratic method of argument, they became very disrespectful of others.  Diogenes became known for his bitter sarcasm.  The Cynics earned the reputation of being "doglike," but Diogenes himself was nicknamed the Dog.  He died about 320 B.C.E. when he was some 90 years of age.  A marble monument incorporating the shape of a dog was erected over his tomb.

Some aspects of the Cynic philosophy were absorbed into other  schools of thought.  In time, however, the eccentricities associated with Diogenes and later followers brought the Cynic school into disrepute. Eventually, it disappeared altogether.  (Good)

Next time: Today's Cynics-Should You Display Their Traits?

Watchtower, 2000