/lit/ - Literature

>>4575648
We could use a Demonax about now.

>>2918311
From one of the anecdotes:

A young man contemplating marriage sought advice from Diogenes. "Should I marry?"
"Marriage is too soon for a young man"
"Would you have me wait then until I am old."
"Oh no, Marriage is far too late for an old man."
"What am I to do then? I love the girl."
"Love is a luxury no one can afford. It is for those who have nothing better to do."
"What should we be doing then?"
"To seek freedom. But it is not possible to be free if you have a wife and children."
"But having a wife and family is so agreeable."
"Then you see the problem, young man. Freedom would not be so difficult to attain were prison not so sweet."
"You mean to be free is to be alone?"
"We come into the world alone and we die alone. Why, in life, should we be any less alone?"
"To live, then, is terrible."
"No, not to live, but to live in chains."

1/2

>>2831200
> the cynics did so out of a lack of concern for both themselves and others (hence where cynical comes from)

Nope. Cynicism in the modern sense of the word is totally different than ancient Cynicism, in the same sense that our modern Epicurean means a lavish hedonist, while the Epicureans were austere as fuck.

The ancient Cynics thought that the good life was the virtuous life and to be virtuous is to live according to nature. They were often likened to dogs (Kynikos=doglike, hence the name cynicism) because of this. The Cynics strived for a simple, natural life, taking care of their basic needs. By freeing themselves from the shackles of societal goals, such as wealth and possessions and status and all that, they were free from many a thing that haunted other people. They were basically the originators of western asceticism, but interestingly they never tied it to some higher goal such as forsaking all your shit to get on God's favourable side and so on. They viewed the simple life as its own reward. Striving to anything beyond that was considered foolish nonsense that only leads to a lot of misery in the long run.

>>2776233
I wasn't necessarily implying that. Even though even among the zen masters I find the most plain and banal among them to be the most pleasant. Something which makes me appreciate both Ikkyu and Shunryu Suzuki, for example.

>>2776234
Not nearly often enough, indeed. But I also wouldn't say it is a burden. Being more of a dry, boring guy wouldn't help it. In any case, I'd still say he is far from overrated. As far as most people mentioning him being a bunch of fools, I can agree. But that's the case with nearly every subject.

>>2657228
Being a Cynic comes with a whole lot more than just doing what you want. Austerity and simplicity are always a part of it. So is training yourself to endure hardships and speaking your mind even if it might endanger you. I agree, they wouldn't deny the simple pleasures of the flesh, but there is more to it than living a life of no restraint. It takes great discipline and it's not an easy path. Therefore I would be weary to call myself an outright Cynic, since I don't really feel I deserve the title. Such a hardy constitution combined with a philosophers intelligence is a rare thing.

Jesus was a Cynic with a jewish twist.

Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. (Luke 6:20/Matthew 5:3)

Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves. (Matthew 10:9-10).

And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin and yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? (Matthew 6:28-30)

And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? (Luke 12:22-24)

Sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. (Luke 18:22/Matthew 19:21)

But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. (Luke 6:24/Matthew 6:2)

>>2614787
Why not escape into meaning and vigour? Why not create your life as a work of art to the image of your liking?

>>2603313
>But I do not see why a preference judged and weighed under varying dispositions cannot attain a higher status.

Sure, but the criteria on which those preferences would be judged would be just as arbitrary as any other preference. It would merely be conventional. I agree with you though, I prefer an intellectual climate where there is a hierarchy of justification. Not least because of my greater ability in fabricating justifications than most people with whom my will clashes on a regular basis.

And of course, it dismisses the opinion of this nigger:

>>2603312

Since he doesn't make a case for his opinion whatsoever.

>>2594443
True dis.

There's a third option besides creating your own meaning or retreating back into faith because your field trip into nihilism didn't turn out to be as nice as you expected, however.

Just accept the lack of meaning, be suspended in nothingness, float around a bit until you get used to it. After a while the notion of meaning becomes rather absurd itself and you are content to just be without meaning, like many a beast or plant.

>>2582501
I agree somewhat, and I think that Cynicism is superior because it doesn't fall for the traps of theorising like Stoicism did.

Still, I think Stoicism is tremendously benificial for the theists among us. And a lot of the lessons of Epictetus are still applicable without a good universe. Stoicism can probably be tweaked nicely for modern determinism if you give it a try.

Improve living and working conditions to sufficient but not excessive glory in a Spartan matter. Do the same with your body and possessions. Learn to strive towards perfection but be content with what you have. Read up on philosophy and science. Form yourself into a well rounded homo universalis.

You will look for happiness at the end of the process, but you'll secretly find it on your way, overcoming resistance and carving a great man out of your present self.

How would one attempt to become a Cynic in todays society, /lit/?