Diogenes the Cynic: The War Against the WorldFor over eight hundred years, philosophers--men and women--who called themselves Cynics, literally "dogs" in their language, roamed the streets and byways of the Hellenistic world, teaching strange ideas and practicing a bizarre way of life. Among them, the most important and distinctive was Diogenes of Sinope, who became the archetype of Classical Cynicism. In this comprehensive, thoroughly researched, and engaging book, philosopher Luis E. Navia undertakes the task of reconstructing Diogenes' life and extracting from him lessons that are valuable in our time. The book is divided into five chapters. Chapter 1 provides a biographical sketch of Diogenes constructed on the basis of ancient testimonies. In Chapter 2, the practice of Cynicism, as exemplified by Diogenes, is elucidated. This "war against the world," as Navia describes it, especially the rhetoric of Cynicism, was the primary medium used by the Cynics to convey their message. Chapter 3 clarifies the roots and basis of the Cynic metamorphosis, that is, the process by which Diogenes transformed himself into a dog. This process involves complex psychological, sociological, and philosophical factors, chief among which was Socrates' influence on Diogenes through the agency of Antisthenes. Chapter 4 reconstructs the philosophy of Diogenes by identifying twelve principles of his thought. In Chapter 5, the influence of Diogenes is discussed. 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 book provides abundant references to ancient testimonies and modern scholarship. It includes an extensively annotated translation of Diogenes Laertius's biography of Diogenes and a comprehensive bibliography. |
Contents
Preface | 7 |
A Biographical Portrait 13 STAMFORD LIBRARIES | 61 |
Diogenes Metamorphosis | 93 |
Copyright | |
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Common terms and phrases
according Actes du Colloque Aelian Alexander ancient anecdotes animals Antisthenes asked Athenian Athens behavior biographical Bracht Branham called century BCE Cercidas character classical Cynicism Colloque International concept contempt convictions Corinth Crates Cynic Movement Cynique Cynisme ancien Cynosarges death Deface the currency Delphi Dio Chrysostom Diogenes Laertius Diogenes of Sinope Diogenes replied Diogenes the Cynic disciples eating Epictetus Goulet Greek Gymnosophists happiness Hercules History human world ideas insisted instance intellectual International du CNRS Isthmian games Kyniker L. E. Navia language late Cynics le Cynique live Lucian M. O. Goulet-Cazé madness manifestations meaning mind modern moral nature once Onesicritus oracle Paris person philosophical Plato Plutarch political practice presence Presses Universitaires reason recognized remain remarked reports rhetoric self-sufficiency sense slave social Socrates someone Sophists sources speak spirit Stobaeus Stoicism Stoics testimony things thought tion traditions typhos Universitaires de France words Xeniades Xenophon