cynicism

Look up cynicism in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Cynicism (Greek: Kυνισμός) originally comprised the various philosophies of a group of ancient Greeks called the Cynics, founded by Antisthenes in about the 4th century BC. The Cynics rejected all conventions, whether of religion, manners, housing, dress, or decency, advocating the pursuit of virtue in a simple and unmaterialistic lifestyle.

By the 19th century, emphasis on the negative aspects of Cynic philosophy led to a new and very different understanding of cynicism to mean an attitude of jaded negativity, and a general distrust of the integrity or professed motives of other people. Modern cynicism, as a product of mass society, is a distrust toward ethical and social values, especially when there are high expectations concerning society, institutions and authorities which are unfulfilled. Cynicism can manifest itself by frustration, disillusionment and distrust in regard to organizations, authorities and other aspects of society, and can result from a negative evaluation of past experiences.^{[citation needed]}

History of cynicism

The classical Greek and Roman Cynics regarded virtue as the only necessity for happiness, and saw virtue as entirely sufficient for attaining happiness. Classical Cynics followed this philosophy to the extent of neglecting everything not furthering their perfection of virtue and attainment of happiness, thus, the title Cynics, derived from the Greek word κύων, ("dog" in English) because they allegedly neglected society, hygiene, family, money, etc, in a manner reminiscent of dogs. They sought to free themselves from conventions; become self-sufficient; and live only in accordance with nature. They rejected any conventional notions of happiness involving money, power, or fame, to lead entirely virtuous, and thus happy, lives.^[1]

The ancient Cynics rejected conventional social values, and would criticise the types of behaviours, such as greed, which they viewed as causing suffering. Emphasis on this aspect of their teachings led, in the late 18th and early 19th century,^[2] to the modern understanding of cynicism as "an attitude of scornful or jaded negativity, especially a general distrust of the integrity or professed motives of others."^[3] This modern definition of cynicism is in marked contrast to the ancient philosophy, which emphasized "virtue and moral freedom in liberation from desire."^[4]

See also

• Human nature
• Skepticism
• Agnosticism
• Nihilism

References

Further reading

• Desmond, William D., (2006), The Greek Praise of Poverty: Origins of Ancient Cynicism, University of Notre Dame Press. ISBN 0268025819
• Dudley, Donald R., (1937), A History Of Cynicism - From Diogenes To The 6th Century A.D.. London : Methuen & co., ltd.
• Mazella, David, (2007), The Making of Modern Cynicism, University of Virginia Press. ISBN 0-813-92615-7
• Sloterdijk, Peter, (1988), Critique of Cynical Reason, University of Minnesota Press. ISBN 0-816-61586-1

External links

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Cynicism

• The Cynic's Sanctuary
• Cynicism / Conspiracism from Project Worldview
• "Is it worse to be cynical or jaded?" Retrieved 2008-05-30