Diogenes the cynic book

The most illustrious of the cynic philosophers, diogenes of sinope serves as the template for the cynic sage in antiquity. Diogenes of sinope has books on goodreads with 3197 ratings. An alleged student of antisthenes, diogenes maintains his teachers asceticism and emphasis on ethics, but brings to these philosophical positions a dynamism and sense of humor unrivaled in the history of philosophy. In chapter 2, the practice of cynicism, as exemplified by diogenes.

Sayings and anecdotes king county library system overdrive. This poem surveys the cynic poet and covers the following aspects. Diogenes of sinope internet encyclopedia of philosophy. In chapter 5, the influence of diogenes is discussed. Diogenes of sinope by individual philosopher philosophy. Diogenes once asked him for wine, and after that also for some dried figs. Among them, the most important and distinctive was diogenes of sinope, who became the archetype of classical cynicism. A unique new volume illuminating the philosophy of the ancient greek and roman cynics the greek cynics owned no property and rejected fame and fortune, living. He lived as a beggar in the streets of athens and made a virtue of extreme poverty. Navia undertakes the task of reconstructing diogenes life and extracting from him lessons that are valuable in our time.

The cynic philosophers by diogenes of sinope penguin books. He was born in sinope, an ionian colony on the black sea coast of modern day turkey, in 412 or 404 bc and died at corinth in 323 bc. Diogenes the cynic modeled himself on the example of hercules. Chapter 1 provides a biographical sketch of diogenes constructed on the basis of ancient testimonies. However, as the book appears based on the writings about the cynics from diogenes laertius note. Diogenes laertius compiled the book, lives of eminent philosophers, and the most influential and interesting cynic philosopher in the lives is also named diogenes, or diogenes of sinope. Diogenes was a homeless man in ancient athens who had a simpler life in many regards. Sotion, 16 however, in his fourth book makes the cynic address this remark to plato himself. Robert dobbins introduction examines the public image of the cynics through the ages, as well as the.

Apr 16, 2020 he has shared a draft excerpt with us for your pandemic reading pleasure. Sayings and anecdotes and not sure if its accurate or a good book on him. In addition to diogenes, the book provided introductions to other philosophers of the doggish ilk. See all books authored by diogenes of sinope, including diogenes the cynic. May 03, 2018 in the ancient greek kingdom of macedonia, around the 4th century bc, the cynic philosopher diogenes was gaining notoriety throughout the kingdom for his outspoken practices of anticonventionalism. I guess things havent changed much in the last 2400 years. This book looks at what we can truly ascertain about the mans life, examines diogenes metamorphism into a dog, and details the foundations and philosophy of. A good book of diogenes quotes is herakleitos and diogenes by. But a short section on antisthenes, diogenes theoretical predecessor, follows the initial dialogue. Platos reply was, how much pride you expose to view, diogenes, by seeming not to be proud.

Cynicism doggishness predated diogenes and may be discerned in platos portrait of socrates and in. The book provides abundant references to ancient testimonies and modern scholarship. The story of diogenes the cynic philosopher storytelling, books. For centuries of european art, it was one of the most frequently portrayed moments from classical antiquity. He taught contempt for all human achievements, social values and. Diogenes the cynic is famed for walking the streets with a lamp in daylight, looking for an honest man.

A life examined, socratic testimonies, diogenes the cynic, antisthenes of athens, the adventure of philosophy, and ethics and the search for values. Crates, bion, antisthenes, aristippos, hegesias and theodoros. May 01, 2005 among them, the most important and distinctive was diogenes of sinope, who became the archetype of classical cynicism. To spread the teachings of the cynic and stoic in all of us. Coming from the ancient greek word for dog, kinikos, cynics felt an affinity with dogs because they lived in the moment and would bark at anything that wasnt the. Although not the only one, his main source for documentation was a long chapter in the lives of eminent philosophers by diogenes laertius book vi, paragraphs 20. He is credited by some with originating the cynic way of life, but he himself acknowledges an indebtedness to antisthenes, by whose numerous writings he was probably influenced.

Wikimedia commons includes more than fifty artistic renderings of an apocryphal meeting of the young alexander of macedonia later to be known as the great and the much older diogenes of sinope later to be known as the cynic. May 16, 2012 oxford worlds classics the only selection of the sayings and anecdotes of diogenes, the ancient greek philosopher whose biting wit and bizarre behaviour has passed down to the present day in european literature and art. Diogenes laertius lives eminent philosophers edited translation. This unique anthology draws together the writings on and by various cynic philosophers, from founding figures antisthenes and diogenes of sinope to hipparchia, one of the few female philosophers in antiquity, and fourthcentury roman emperor julian the apostate. Navia, professor of philosophy and chair of the social sciences department at new york institute of technology, is the author of many books on ancient philosophy, including socrates. Diogenes once asked him for wine, and after that also for some dried. Sayings and anecdotes the cynic philosophers lives of eminent philosophers, volume i philosophy for understanding theology, second. Diogenes, also known as diogenes the cynic, was a greek philosopher and one of the founders of cynic philosophy. I fawn on the people who give me something, bark at those who dont, and sink my teeth into scoundrels. Undertaking the task of reconstructing diogenes life, this book aims to extract valuable lessons from him. No writings of diogenes survive even though he is reported to have authored over ten books, a volume of letters and seven tragedies. Diogenes of sinope, of course, has the longest section. This is more than a book about diogenesit is an examination of a philosophy, a way of being in the world, that finds analogies from dispersed geographical. Diocles relates that he went into exile because his father was entrusted with the money of the state and adulterated the coinage.

Such stories formed part of a rich tradition of sayings and anecdotes. Diogenes was a native of sinope, son of hicesius, a banker. A dialogue between alexander the great and diogenes the cynic henry fielding, english novelist and dramatist known for his rich earthy humour and satirical prowessn 17071754 this ebook presents a dialogue between alexander the great and diogenes the cynic. Athenodorus, in the eighth book of his conversations, says, that the philosopher always had a shining appearance, from his habit of anointing himself. The book even includes copies of many of the accounts about this man in the appendix and detailed bibliographies for those wanting to delve deeper into the subject. The war against the world complete enough to be used as a text about diogenes and cynicism. Dec 06, 2012 in this fascinating and completely new collection of cynic writing through the centuries, from diogenes and hipparchia, to lucian and the roman emperor julian, the history and experiences of the cynic philosophers are explored to the full. Monimws was a syracusan, and a pupil of diogenes, but also a slave of some corinthian moneychanger, as. List of books by author diogenes of sinope thriftbooks. The most illustrious of the cynic philosophers, diogenes of sinope serves as the.

Diogenes also known as diogenes the cynic was a greek philosopher and one. Diogenes remains a controversial philosopher to this day and is remembered for behaviours and quotations that have shocked and inspired people for millennia. Not diogenes of sinope and others, the credibility and reliability of the material is questionable and is instead primarily based on. Feb 26, 20 the book provides interesting insights into the lives, doing and sayings of the reputed cynic philosophers. Monimws was a syracusan, and a pupil of diogenes, but also a slave of some corinthian moneychanger, as sosicrater tells us. Endless references, careful analysis, speculative psychiatry, numerous anecdotes, and annotations you actually want ot read are all present to give you an idea of how diogenes was. Diogenes, archetype of the cynics, a greek philosophical sect that stressed stoic selfsufficiency and the rejection of luxury. We possess no direct writings from diogenes himself, thus his legacy. He was one of the founders and the archetypical practitioner of the ancient greek philosophical school of cynicism. His biting wit and eccentric behavior were legendary, and it was by means of his renowned aphorisms that his moral teachings were transmitted. His followers positioned themselves as watchdogs of morality. Diogenes belief that he was a king among men is exemplified in a tale which tells how once a ship which diogenes was on was captured by pirates and he was sold as a slave in the marketplace. Sayings and anecdotes, with other popular moralists, and herakleitos and diogenes, and more on. But although these terms were meant as insults, diogenes took the name to heart.

It was by personal example rather than any coherent system of thought that diogenes conveyed the cynic philosophy. He used his simple lifestyle and behavior to criticize the social values and institutions of what he saw as a corrupt society. Sotion, however, in his fourth book makes the cynic address this remark to plato himself. He was also determined to expose the meaninglessness of a civilized life both by his. He believed that virtue was better revealed in action than in theory.

Diogenes was a fascinating figure, and navias book does its best to hammer this into your mind. Most of the information comes from diogenes laertius and plutarch, as many of the cynics own works have not survived. To this end, he presents a clear and engaging account of perhaps philosophys most eccentric and enigmatic figure. He was born in sinope, an ionian colony on the black sea coast of modernday turkey, in 412 or 404 bc and died at corinth in 323 bc. Books by diogenes of sinope author of diogenes the cynic. A dialogue between alexander the great and diogenes the cynic. Diogenes of sinopes most popular book is the philosophy book. Diogenes of sinope diahjuhneez of sinohpee was a major early cynic philosopher. Diogenes laertius, lives of eminent philosophers, book vi. Diocles relates that he went into exile because his father was entrusted with the money of the state and adulterated the coin. Hopefully it wont be too long till you can read the entire book. The life of diogenes of sinope in diogenes laertius world. Kanye west and his dangerous fake philosophy by andrew.

Dec 26, 2020 diogenes the cynic, a native of sinope, was the son of hicesius, a public banker responsible for minting coins. Unlike many people he was brave and determined to live in what he believed. Diogenes the cynic august 1, 2019 diogenes was known for being a realist and breaking down ego walls to find our natural state. Sotion, 4 however, in his fourth book makes the cynic address this remark to plato himself. Diogenes of sinope by farrand sayre isnt on the list as it is a wishlist and i have that already. Others tell us that what diogenes said was, i trample upon the pride of plato, who retorted, yes, diogenes, with pride of another sort. Diogenes the cynic is best remembered today for having lived in a storagejar, and walking the streets with a lamp in daylight, looking for an honest man. In this comprehensive, thoroughly researched, and engaging book, philosopher luis e. But eubulides in his book on diogenes says that diogenes himself did this and was forced to leave home along with his father. But eubulides in his book on diogenes says that diogenes himself did this and was forced. Sages book 1, socrates and his socratic followers book 2, plato book 3, aristotle and his school book 5, diogenes the cynic book 6, stoicism book. He was one of the founders and the archetypical practitioner of the ancient greek philosophical school of cynicism he lived as a beggar in the streets of athens and made a virtue of extreme poverty. Sayings and anecdotes, with other popular moralists herakleitos and diogenes the april game light from the lantern. For over eight hundred years, philosophersmen and womenwho called themselves cynics, literally dogs in their language.

In this fascinating and completely new collection of cynic writing through the centuries, from diogenes and hipparchia, to lucian and the roman emperor julian. Luis navia aims to examine the life of cynic philosopher diogenes within the larger context of classical greek cynicism. Then the other said, if some one asks you how many two and two are, will you answer, twenty. Diogenes the cynic was an ancient greek philosopher who wasnt afraid to speak his truth, but also a free man who spoke harshly of those who were willing to give up their freedom and liberty for temporary pleasures and safety. Navia emphasizes the vast difference between diogenes ideas and style of life on the one hand and, on the other, what is nowadays called cynicism. The difficulty of this task lies in the scarcity of reliable accounts of diogenes. In this comprehensive, thoroughly researched, and engaging book, philosopher luis.