## Definition - An **ancient Greek [[Philosophy|philosophical]] school** founded by Antisthenes (a student of Socrates) and popularized by [[Diogenes of Sinope]] - Advocates living **in accordance with nature**, rejecting societal conventions, materialism, and artificial desires - Sees **virtue** as the only true good and self-sufficiency (_autarkeia_) as the path to freedom ## Core Concepts - **Living simply**: Rejecting luxury, wealth, and social status - **Self-sufficiency** (_autarkeia_): Cultivating independence from external needs - **Parrhesia**: Radical honesty and frank speech, regardless of offense - **Rejection of nomos**: Disregard for societal conventions when they conflict with nature - **Virtue through asceticism**: Strengthening the soul by enduring hardship ## Key Characteristics - Highly provocative and countercultural - Emphasizes action over theory; [[philosophy]] as a lived practice - Encourages shamelessness (_anaideia_) to challenge social hypocrisy - Served as a precursor to [[Stoicism]], which refined and systematized Cynic ethics ## Historical Perspectives - **Antisthenes**: Founder of the school, emphasized virtue over pleasure - **Diogenes of Sinope**: Embodied Cynicism through radical lifestyle (living in a barrel, mocking social norms) - **Crates of Thebes**: Brought Cynic ideals into broader public life, influencing [[Zeno of Citium]] (founder of [[Stoicism]]) ## Role in [[Philosophy]] - Offered a **practical [[philosophy]] of radical freedom**, stripping life down to its essentials - Laid the groundwork for [[Stoicism]] and later ascetic traditions - Critiqued power structures, wealth accumulation, and moral corruption in public life ## Related Concepts - [[Stoicism]] - [[Virtue Ethics]] - [[Asceticism]] - [[Diogenes of Sinope]] ## Notable Quotes - "I am a citizen of the world." — Diogenes - "It is the privilege of the gods to need nothing, and of godlike men to want little." — Diogenes - "He has the most who is content with the least." — Antisthenes