![]() Nevertheless it is most likely that Diogenes was the first Cynic, the one who gave the movement its essential characteristics, namely, asceticism and individual freedom ( ἐ λ ε υ θ ε ρ ί α). Indeed, if modern chronology is even approximately correct, it would seem impossible. Both the historians of the successions of philosophers and the Stoics make him a disciple of Antisthenes, though there is scant justification for the relationship. Unfortunately the Diogenes of history is little known, whereas the Diogenes of legend and anecdote is a familiar character the world over. 320) went to Athens in about 350 b.c., where he was named Diogenes the Dog ( ὁ κ ύ ω ν), as Aristotle reports ( Rhet. Exiled from his native city of Sinope in Pontus, Diogenes ( c. This genealogy seems to be without solid basis.ĭiogenes of Sinope. Both the historians of the successions of the philosophers and the Stoics traced the lines of descent from Socrates to the Stoics through Antisthenes, conceiving him as the founder of Cynicism. The chief sources -namely, Xenophon, Aristotle, and Cicero -do not speak of him as a Cynic. There seems to be a considerable difference between the doctrines of Antisthenes and the tenets of the Cynics. He was a prolific writer in rhetoric and philosophy and had interests in politics as well. 365) was a faithful disciple of socrates and was present at his death ( Phaedo 59B). While he had listened to Gorgias of Leontini ( c. Recent research favors Diogenes of Sinope rather than Antisthenes or Crates.Īntisthenes. Reliable testimony about the origins of the movement is lacking, and different hypotheses have been proposed regarding the first Cynic and originator of Cynicism. their name ( ο ἳ κ υ ν ι κ ο ί), derived from the Greek for dog ( κ ύ ω ν), was applied to them chiefly for their vulgar and often shameless public behavior. ![]() ![]() In return, Plato described Diogenes of Sinope as "a Socrates gone mad.Ascetical philosophers who appeared first in Athens in the 4th century, b.c. As Laërtius recounts, Diogenes publicly denounced the works of elder philosophical rivals, including students of Socrates such as Euclides - "bilious," in the words of Diogenes - and even Plato. Proclaiming that "a child has beaten me in plainness of living," Diogenes then discards one of his few possessions, a drinking cup, realizing that true asceticism meant living without one.ĭiogenes also developed a reputation for having a sharp tongue, and he scorned other schools of philosophy as strongly as he embraced his own form of cynicism. In one famous anecdote recounted by Laërtius, Diogenes witnesses a young child scooping handfuls of drinking water from a fountain. Diogenes gave away the vast majority of his possessions, keeping only that which was truly necessary. In some accounts, it is reported that Hicesius was imprisoned and died as a result of his son's actions.Īs noted by the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Diogenes inherited from Antisthenes a lifelong practice of asceticism - namely, he endeavored to live as simply and frugally as possible, even if that meant going against societal convention in the process. The truth of the matter is still debated, however, as Laërtius claims that other chroniclers accused Diogenes himself of the adulteration - presumably, a synonym for forgery. ![]() Per Laërtius, Diogenes and his family left Sinope after Hicesius "adulterated" the coinage of the state - i.e., mixed the precious metal of the coins with lower-grade metals, thus devaluing them - that had been entrusted to Hicesius, who was a banker. However, a certain calamity meant that Diogenes, Hicesius, and the rest of Diogenes' family were forced into exile, after which Diogenes gravitated toward Athens, which would become his home and the cradle of his legend. His father, Hicesius, was a banker in the city, and it seems that Diogenes was due to live a privileged life in Sinopean society. According to Diogenes Laërtius, the future philosopher came from a wealthy family in Sinope, a Greek colony and city in what is now modern-day Turkey.
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