/lit/ - Literature

[Anonymous No.4575648]

What does /lit/ know about cynism?
Can it be a valid philosophy and way of life in todays modern era?

[Anonymous No.4575660]

>>4575648

I think it's a fundamental part of western culture today.

[Anonymous No.4575667]

>>4575660
Elaborate?

[Anonymous No.4575668]

>>4575648
Dumping something a fellow anon cynic posted the other day.

Collection of Diogenes anecdotes:
http://members.optushome.com.au/davidquinn000/Diogenes%20Folder/Diogenes.html

Introductory podcast:
http://www.historyofphilosophy.net/cynics

Wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynicism_(philosophy)

Internet Encyclopaedia of Philosophy:
http://www.iep.utm.edu/cynics/

And I've got a bunch of works on them here:

https://www.mediafire.com/folder/zp2ppnxjwj28c//Cynicism

[Anonymous No.4575675]

>>4575667

I was being cheeky because there exists contemporary cynical attitudes towards society along the lines of misanthropy, and then the thought of the classical cynic philosophers.

[Anonymous No.4575686]

I dunno. I'm a stoic, and I consider Diogenes to be a hero, but I'm not sure cynicism alone would actually accomplish the goals of Diogenes today.

The closest direct spiritual successors of his might be crust-punks?

[Anonymous No.4575704]

Are there any books by cynics or about cynicism worth reading?

[Anonymous No.4575779]

>>4575648
I was going to share my shit but this friendly anon beat me to it: >>4575668

I think we can learn a lot from the Cynics, even if we don't strictly adopt the lifestyle.

[Anonymous No.4576015]

>>4575779
Thoughts on stoicism, anon?

[Anonymous No.4576020]

Its ideals are very relevant especially in fighting against the pervasive consumerism that afflicts society. Of course the actual lifestyle it preaches isnt that applicable or helpful.

The penguin classic on the subject would be a good starting book for you.

[Anonymous No.4577829]

>>4575686
The Stoic's contemplative arrival point is extremely limited compared to other contemplative traditions. I do not believe it, in practice, actually provides the solution to the problem of human existential lack, nor fully understands it in theory.

[Anonymous No.4577851]

>>4576015
The corruption and castration of Cynicism, essentially. Stoicism takes away the practice of Cynicism, adds a bunch of theory and sophisms and repackages it in a way that makes it inoffensive and conveniently combined with things that are completely opposed to the Cynic ideal such as wealth and power and prudery.

The way in which Diogenes and his ideas were neutralised in Stoicism is in a way comparable to the way Jesus and his ideas were neutralised in Christianity. Radical practice turned into a bland, half-hearted sort of good citizenship.

[Anonymous No.4577856]

>>4575648
wtf is cynism

[Anonymous No.4578045]

>>4577856
>mfw whem I'm Diogenes of America
I'm homeless posting from mah iphone

[Anonymous No.4578055]

You are now aware Oscar the Gouch is a reference to Diogenes.

[Anonymous No.4578059]

>>4578055
*Grouch.

Stupid human on phone.

[Anonymous No.4578081]

>>4578045
Throw that iPhone away, Diogenes didn't need a cup to drink water.

[Anonymous No.4578086]

>>4578081
This, a real Cynic shitposts from the library.

[Anonymous No.4578106]

>>4577851
>>4577851
However Diogenes supposedly admitted he was overdoing it, by the cynic tenet to practice what you preach. He showed that absolute self mastery was possible without the comforts of civilization and more importantly that it isn't contingent on civilization.

[Anonymous No.4578119]

>>4578086
A real cynic masturbates in the library.

[Anonymous No.4578199]

>>4575648
We could use a Demonax about now.

[Anonymous No.4578492]

Dumpster-diving is a modern way of life quite similar to cynicism. There's also the "simple living" movement.

[Anonymous No.4578544]

>>4575668
Thank you for the suggestions!