Diogenes of Sinope: mad genius

This philosopher was called Socrates, who had gone mad. He was clever and sharp on his tongue, subtly observing all the shortcomings of the individual and society. Diogenes Sinopsky, whose works reached us only in the form of retellings of later authors, is considered a mystery. He is both a seeker of truth and a sage to whom she opened, a skeptic and a critic uniting the link. In a word, Man with a capital letter, who can learn a lot and modern people, accustomed to the benefits of civilization and technology.

Diogenes of Sinop and his way of life

Many people remember from school that Diogenes was a man who lived in a barrel in the middle of the Athenian square. Philosopher and eccentric, he, nevertheless, glorified in the ages his name due to his own teachings, later called cosmopolitan. He severely criticized Plato, pointing to this ancient Greek scientist on the shortcomings of his philosophy. He despised glory and luxury, laughed at those who chanted the powerful of the world in order to be honored. He preferred to lead an ascetic way of life: his house was a clay drum, which can often be seen on the agora. Diogenes Sinopsky traveled a lot on Greek policies, and he considered himself a citizen of the whole world, that is, of the cosmos.

The Way to Truth

Diogenes, whose philosophy may seem contradictory and strange (and all because of the fact that we did not reach his work in its original form), was a student of Antisthenes. History says that the teacher at first greatly disliked the young man who was searching for the truth. All because he was a son of a money changer, who not only was in prison (for dealing with money), but he did not have the best reputation. The respectful Antisthenes tried to drive out the new disciple, and even beat him with a stick, but Diogenes did not move from his place. He longed for knowledge, and Antisthenes had to open them to him. His credo Diogenes Sinopsky believed that he must continue the work of his father, but on a different scale. If his father spoiled the coin in the literal sense, then the philosopher decided to spoil all the established stamps, to destroy traditions and prejudices. He wished to erase from the consciousness of people the false values that had been planted by him. Honor, fame, wealth - all this he considered a false inscription on coins from low-grade metal.

A citizen of the world and a friend of dogs

The philosophy of Diogenes of Sinope is special and ingenious in its simplicity. Despising all material goods and values as such, he settled in a barrel. True, some researchers believe that it was not an ordinary barrel in which water or wine was stored. Most likely, it was a large pitcher, which was of ritual significance: in primitive society they were used for burial. The philosopher ridiculed the established standards of clothing, rules of conduct, religion, way of life of citizens. He lived like a dog - at alms, and often called himself a four-footed animal. For this, he was called a cynic (from the Greek word for a dog). His life is entangled not only by many secrets, but also comic situations, he is the hero of many anecdotes.

Common features with other teachings

The whole essence of the teachings of Diogenes can fit into one sentence: live, content with what you have, and be grateful for it. Diogenes Sinopsky negatively treated art as a manifestation of unnecessary benefits. After all, a person should study not ghostly matter (music, painting, sculpture, poetry), but himself. Prometheus, who brought fire to people and taught them how to create various necessary and unnecessary objects, believed that he was justly punished. After all, titanium helped a person create complexity and artificiality in modern life, without which it would be much easier to live. In this philosophy of Diogenes is similar to Taoism, the teachings of Rousseau and Tolstoy, but more stable in views.

Fearless to the point of recklessness, he calmly asked Alexander of Macedon (who conquered his country and came to get acquainted with the illustrious eccentric) to withdraw and not to cover the sun. The teachings of Diogenes help to get rid of fear and to all who study his works. After all, on the road to the pursuit of virtue, he got rid of nothing worth the earthly goods, he gained moral freedom. In particular, it was this thesis was adopted by the Stoics, who developed it into a separate concept. But the Stoics themselves were unable to give up all the advantages of a civilized society.

Like his contemporary Aristotle, Diogenes was cheerful. He did not preach withdrawal from life, but only called for detachment from external, fragile goods, thereby laying the foundations of optimism and a positive view of all cases of life. Being a very energetic person, the philosopher from the barrel was the direct opposite of the boring and respectable sages with their teaching intended for people who were tired.

The meaning of the philosophy of a wise man from Sinop

A lighted lantern (or torch, according to other sources) with which the ancient Greek philosopher was looking for a person in the daytime, even in ancient times became an example of contempt for the norms of society. This particular view of life and values attracted other people who became followers of the madman. And the very teaching of the Cynics was recognized as the shortest path to virtue.