How To Be A Cynic

[Philosophy Now]

Roger Caldwell contemplates the life and thinking of Diogenes the Dog.

https://philosophynow.org/issues/104/How_To_Be_A_Cynic

[tbieter]

Roger Caldwell contemplates the life and thinking of Diogenes the Dog.

https://philosophynow.org/issues/104/How_To_Be_A_Cynic

The conclusion to an outstanding article.

"There is a joyous irreverence in Cynicism, but there is also something of the eternal adolescent about it: so much that seems essential to human thriving – family, politics, the life of the mind – is simply jettisoned for the sake of unfettered freedom, for immediate gratification, and for a life on the open road. In its extreme individualism it ignores the needs of society at large. One could not imagine Cynics ever founding a city-state – although one could imagine them co-existing, temporarily and anarchically in a sort of commune. There is, however, an absence of tribal feeling in the Cynics: Diogenes is not a citizen of a particular town or country, he is not an Athenian, or a Corinthian, but in his wandering life, he is a citizen of the cosmos. He does not belong to any particular race, but is simply a human being, although in a way that few human beings achieve. Standing a little apart from the rest of society, he has the right to exercise frankness, and in this there is a proud record, particularly among the Cynics of the Roman Empire who were unafraid to address the Emperor himself in the sharpest tones, delineating his vices and shortcomings when no others dared to do so. Demetrius, the first true Roman Cynic, was the scourge of three successive emperors, Caligula, Nero, and Vespasian, and remarkably, suffered nothing worse than exile. Others, no doubt, were less lucky. In having the courage to tell what they saw as the truth without regard for rank or authority – in the capacity more-or-less of licensed jester – the Cynics are exemplary. And in a consumerist age, their overall message – to distinguish your wants from your needs, to simplify your life, to try to do with less – is hardly redundant.

© Roger Caldwell 2014

Roger Caldwell is a writer living in Essex. His latest collection of poetry, Waiting for World 93, is published by Shoestring Press.

Those who advocate a voluntary simplicity lifestyle reflect cynic philosophy without even knowing about the philosophy. viewtopic.php?f=5&t=14029

[vegetariantaxidermy]

I like the sound of this Diogenes guy. Refreshing in the phony age we now live in.

[tbieter]

I like the sound of this Diogenes guy. Refreshing in the phony age we now live in.

From the conclusion: "In having the courage to tell what they saw as the truth without regard for rank or authority – in the capacity more-or-less of licensed jester..."

Prudence is a neglected virtue. Sometimes it is wiser to remain silent than to speak. As always, one must be cautious and selective when we consider adopting a philosophy in whole or in part.

For example, as a public defender, I had a first meeting with a client who I was appointed to represent. He was charged with selling drugs, a serious charge where I practiced. He immediately told me that he believed in being totally honest and always speaking the truth, and that he had unsuccessfully tried to get a different public defender appointed. He then said that he had heard from a friend that I was a lousy defense lawyer. That was why he had tried to get a different public defender.

After listening intently, I asked him if it was wise for him to insult me since he was stuck with me as his lawyer. I then told him that now he would not know if I was giving my best efforts in his defense. And he could not be sure that I was not going to sell him out.

He turned white.

I concluded the lesson by telling him that his speech should be moderated by prudence, that on occasion he should be silent.

I have wondered if the client thereafter took my advice and discarded the cynic's doctrine that had caused him to insult me at the outset.

[vegetariantaxidermy]

I like the sound of this Diogenes guy. Refreshing in the phony age we now live in.

From the conclusion: "In having the courage to tell what they saw as the truth without regard for rank or authority – in the capacity more-or-less of licensed jester..."

Prudence is a neglected virtue. Sometimes it is wiser to remain silent than to speak. As always, one must be cautious and selective when we consider adopting a philosophy in whole or in part.

For example, as a public defender, I had a first meeting with a client who I was appointed to represent. He was charged with selling drugs, a serious charge where I practiced. He immediately told me that he believed in being totally honest and always speaking the truth, and that he had unsuccessfully tried to get a different public defender appointed. He then said that he had heard from a friend that I was a lousy defense lawyer. That was why he had tried to get a different public defender.

After listening intently, I asked him if it was wise for him to insult me since he was stuck with me as his lawyer. I then told him that now he would not know if I was giving my best efforts in his defense. And he could not be sure that I was not going to sell him out.

He turned white.

I concluded the lesson by telling him that his speech should be moderated by prudence, that on occasion he should be silent.

I have wondered if the client thereafter took my advice and discarded the cynic's doctrine that had caused him to insult me at the outset.

Well, at least 90 per cent of lawyers are useless, so I wouldn't take it to heart if I were you. Plus, if he told you honestly that you have a bad reputation as a defense lawyer, then you should stop doing it. Innocent people could spend years in prison because of you.

[tbieter]

I like the sound of this Diogenes guy. Refreshing in the phony age we now live in.

From the conclusion: "In having the courage to tell what they saw as the truth without regard for rank or authority – in the capacity more-or-less of licensed jester..."

Prudence is a neglected virtue. Sometimes it is wiser to remain silent than to speak. As always, one must be cautious and selective when we consider adopting a philosophy in whole or in part.

For example, as a public defender, I had a first meeting with a client who I was appointed to represent. He was charged with selling drugs, a serious charge where I practiced. He immediately told me that he believed in being totally honest and always speaking the truth, and that he had unsuccessfully tried to get a different public defender appointed. He then said that he had heard from a friend that I was a lousy defense lawyer. That was why he had tried to get a different public defender.

After listening intently, I asked him if it was wise for him to insult me since he was stuck with me as his lawyer. I then told him that now he would not know if I was giving my best efforts in his defense. And he could not be sure that I was not going to sell him out.

He turned white.

I concluded the lesson by telling him that his speech should be moderated by prudence, that on occasion he should be silent.

I have wondered if the client thereafter took my advice and discarded the cynic's doctrine that had caused him to insult me at the outset.

Well, at least 90 per cent of lawyers are useless, so I wouldn't take it to heart if I were you. Plus, if he told you honestly that you have a bad reputation as a defense lawyer, then you should stop doing it. Innocent people could spend years in prison because of you.

[artisticsolution]

I would hate being a lawyer. Too much responsibility. I would shit my pants if I inadvertently put an innocent person behind bars or allowed a guilty person to be free only to have them harm another victim.

Plus, I hate the feeling of standing in judgment in a scenario that I have the ability to see to it someone gets punished. Not to mention having the tendency to lose that humbleness and that I might threaten those who I felt were not my superior....just because they said something I didn't like.

I never got that thing where I see people as better or worse than me.

Not that I am all conceited about not being conceited...lol