Cynics (Ancient Philosophies (Paperback))

Once regarded as a minor Socratic school, Cynicism is now admired as one of the more creative and influential philosophical movements in antiquity. First arising in the city-states of late classical Greece, Cynicism thrived through the Hellenistic and Roman periods, until the triumph of Christianity and the very end of pagan antiquity. In every age down to the present, its ideals of radical simplicity and freedom have alternately inspired and disturbed onlookers. This book offers a survey of Cynicism, its varied representatives and ideas, and the many contexts in which it operated. William Desmond introduces important ancient Cynics and their times, from Diogenes 'the Dog' in the fourth century BC to Sallustius in the fifth century AD. He details the Cynics' rejection of various traditional customs and the rebellious life-style for which they are notorious. The central chapters locate major Cynic themes (nature and the natural life, Fortune, self-sufficiency, cosmopolitanism) within the rich matrix of ideas debated by the ancient schools. The final chapter reviews some moments in the diverse legacy of Cynicism, from Jesus to Nietzsche. Amazon Una de las consideradas escuelas menores socráticas, el Cinismo es uno de los movimientos filosóficos más creativos y más influyentes de la antigüedad. Prosperó durante el periodo helénico y romano hasta el triunfo del cristinismo. En cada etapa y hasta el presente, sus ideas radicales de libertad y sencillez han inspirado y perturbado. Se presenta, en primer lugar, un estudio general del Cinismo durante sus años de existencia. Más adelante se ofrece un estudio comprehensivo de lo más importante del Cinismo antiguo, examinándose el rechazo a las costumbres tradicionales y su estilo de vida rebelde. Se considera los fragmentos testimoniales antiguos y la interpretación historica que ha determinado su filosofía durante siglos. Los capítulos centrales tratan de los principales temas de los Cínicos (críticas a los convencionalismos, alabanza de la simplicidad, apoyo a la autosuficiencia, desafío a la fortuna y celebración de la libertad) y de las ideas debatidas por las escuelas de la antiguedad, y muestran que lejos de ser pesimistas o nihilistas, como el uso moderno del término cínico sugiere, el antiguo Cínico era asombrosamente optimista en lo que respecta a la naturaleza humana "Once regarded as a minor Socratic school, Cynicism is now admired as one of the more creative and influential philosophical movements in antiquity. First arising in the city-states of late classical Greece, Cynicism thrived through the Hellenistic and Roman periods, until the triumph of Christianity and the end of pagan antiquity. In every age down to the present, its ideals of radical simplicity and freedom have alternately inspired and disturbed onlookers. This book presents the first general survey of Cynicism in antiquity for over fifty years. Drawing on a wealth of new research, William Desmond offers a comprehensive study of the most important ancient Cynics and their ideas, examining their rejection of various traditional customs and the rebellious life-style for which they were notorious. Desmond considers both the fragmentary ancient evidence on the Cynics and the historical interpretations that have shaped Cynic philosophy over later centuries"--Back cover Cover......Page 1 Copyright......Page 5 Contents......Page 6 Acknowledgements......Page 7 Introduction......Page 8 1. Ancient Cynics and their times......Page 16 2. Renunciation of custom......Page 84 3. A life according to nature......Page 139 4. Chance, fate, fortune and the self......Page 169 5. Anarchists, democrats, cosmopolitans, kings......Page 191 6. Cynic legacies......Page 216 Glossary of names......Page 244 Glossary of Greek terms......Page 249 Notes......Page 252 Guide to further reading......Page 269 Bibliography......Page 281 Index......Page 288 William Desmond. Series Numbering From Vendor. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 274-279) And Index.