![]() Ancient Cynics were more than just unhelpful social critics they were optimistic philosophers who wanted to demonstrate that human contentment is achievable through a life of natural simplicity. In ancient times, Cynicism was the name of a philosophical movement that, contrary to popular opinion today, did indeed possess positive ideals and that provided not only a diagnosis of, but a solution to, the despairing unhappiness of the times. ![]() This contemporary deployment of the term “cynic,” however, deviates from its original use in the ancient world. They assume everyone is motivated by foul intentions, and consequently believe no one can be relied on. They have nothing positive to say or to contribute, but are full of complaints and criticisms. It is generally thought that cynics are negative, distrustful, and see only the worst in others. It is, in fact, the foundation of the philosophy of cynicism itself.Ĭynicism, like nihilism, has a bad name in the poplar mind. The cynical humor of Diogenes, I shall claim, is more than just a feature of his personality or a method through which he communicates his real message. I shall argue that the cynicism authored by Diogenes is a philosophy premised on a number of doctrines – none of which are essentially negative in character – and that among these doctrines humor holds the central place. ![]() In this paper I shall offer a methodical analysis of the role humor plays in the philosophy of Diogenes. This philosophy began with the ancient Greek figure Diogenes of Sinope (c.412 – c.323 BC), a man who was exiled from his homeland and who spent the rest of his days in Athens, living a barrel while using humorous means to educate others concerning the nature of a good life.ĭiogenes’ use of humor remains an innovation that, while frequently highlighted and noted by scholars, has rarely been explored systematically and in depth. This obscures the historical fact that the origins of the “cynical” perspective are actually found in a philosophy having more to do with the affirmation of life than with dismissive and negative criticism of others. Today, a cynic is rarely thought of as an affirmative, happy or joyful individual and if the cynical attitude is associated at all with humor, it is with a cruel, spiteful and mean-spirited sort of humor that holds others in contempt. ![]() To call someone “cynical” is to suggest that a person sees the worst in others, distrusts the motivations of others, and has a generally dark and critical perspective on the world and people in it. The term “cynic,” as it is commonly used today, tends to be associated with negative evaluations. Tags 1980's punk rock Albert Camus american philosophical association anarchism anarchist bookfair Antichrist APA conference Arthur Schopenhauer Buddha Buddhism Cinematic Nihilism Cloud Atlas College of Marin death DOA Edinburgh University Press existentialism Fascism Fight Club Film film and philosophy Friedrich Nietzsche Glasgow Horror horror films Humor Immanuel Kant International Association for the Philosophy of Humor Jean-Paul Sartre John Marmysz Lars Von Trier Laughing at Nothing literature Marin County Punk Rock marin punk rock Martin Heidegger meaning of life music NEDs Nietzsche nihilism No Frills Buffalo pandemic philosophy Philosophy of Humor political philosophy punk punk rock punk rock flyers religion Robert Burns Runaway Horses sacrapolitical sacrifice sacripolitical San Francisco Punk Rock scotland Sea of Fertility Tetralogy Spring Snow teaching Teaching philosophy The Angelic Upstarts The Eternal Return The Nihilist: A Philosophical Novel The Philosophy of Humor Yearbook The Pukes The Wicker Man travel Under the Skin UXB world cinema World War Z Yukio Mishima zero ZerOrigIndia ![]()
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