The philosophy of cynicism - William D. Desmond
Video Overview & Insights
Explore the ancient Greek philosophy of cynicism, which calls for the rejection of materialism and conformity in favor of a simple life.
If I were not Alexander, I would want to Diogenes -Alexander III of Macedon
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In the 4th century BCE, a young Diogenes of Sinope was found to be counterfeiting coins. He was stripped of his citizenship, his money, all his possessions and sent into exile. He decided he would live self-sufficiently, close to nature, without materialism, vanity, or conformity and only then could he be truly free. William D. Desmond details how Diogenes gave rise to the philosophy of cynicism.
This video was amazing, learned a lot.
Lesson by William D. Desmond, directed by Avi Ofer.
Animator's website: https://www.aviofer.com
im not buying it
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Alexander the Great said that if he wasn't himself, he'd want to be Diogenes
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Hi Mate, can I have permission to use this video but I will translate the language? Just for educational purposes
More User Perspectives
Play philosophy of Carl Junn
@AhmedMunirKabirThe amount of effort that went into transmuting Diogenes thoughts into modern cynicism speaks volumes about what he had to say.
@jayowyn10544:25 I think the freak movement of Laurel canyon in the 1960’s was more in tune with the philosophy of Diogenes (esp. Carl Franzoni) rather than the collective movement of the hippie counterculture.
Whereas hippies ended up becoming a poser-like movement, where everyone wanted to look the same to become “hip”.
"Show me a cynic and I will show you someone who pays very careful attention to the world around him and is honest about what he sees."
- A.D. Wallace
the first ragebaiters
@zen1n24Cynicism is only valuable for predicting a person's behavior. Stoicism is good for reacting to it.
@cross3052There is no such thing as altruism. Every act is in some way self serving.
@TheAaronExperience"Low cholesterol Maxxing"
@FahdBenaldjiaDiogenes was funny.
@DIn-e9o4:32 Kefka real in a Tedratalk vid
@CraftedCubicThe fact that his story survived so long is crazy
@chair5252Nevim no…
RIKAM PRVADU…
Taky bych mohl BEJT NADRZENEJ CURAK…
A meldovat do zenskejch hovna bych si zaprcal DOKUD SE NEZBLAZNEJ…
O ostatních bych pKa mohl rikat, ze jsou Cyničtí….
"It's only when we lost everything we are free to do anything"
© Tyler Durden
It really makes me wonder, how he felt like connection with nature meant he couldn't be in society, even back then. I feel like we would say ancient people lived super close to nature, but if that's the benchmark we're way past it today
@thewrens_Philosophy
https://youtu.be/TGHriPIOBOk?si=vZkAwmgqkEhrSKAS
It would be so much easier if people acknowledged that their voices should be spoken and they have value. And if they are silent towards the issues and injustices that happen to them then the problems won’t just simply resolve by themselves.
@midori_2323Correct me if I'm wrong here, as I'm certainly no expert, but I am a bit of a fan, and I've seen nobody mention it. Diogenes would notoriously have arguments of philosophy with other well-known philosophers of his time. In one such argument, I think with Plato, Plato proclaimed to an audience that man should be defined as a "featherless biped." In response, Diogenes left the venue and returned with a plucked chicken carcass and yelled, "Behold, A man!"
Yet another story that makes me think this guy was simply legendary.
Some of the imagery and things you said were so dishonest, its sad because I'm either the only one that notices or Those comments get deleted. Nietzsche’s sister altered his legacy after his mental collapse and death. Elisabeth Förster‑Nietzsche curated, edited, and in some cases distorted his writings to fit her nationalist and proto‑fascist ideology. We are talking about Nietzsche himself and NOT the Nietzsche the world inherited after his death.
@DubiusManicSo basically the Cynics were homeless hippies.
@angladechildren41052026 january 30 2:33pm iQOO Z10 5G silchar
@NETERROwho else came from Dead Poets Society?
@xinn5331Laa ilaaha ilallah
Come to Allah
Still, you have breathing left, so stop wasting in slavery of others than AllahDo you know about prophet Muhammad.
No
@JonathanJollimore-h8vThe animators needs a raise to add this beard guy in every Way 😂
@LushPhaseThanks to being surrounded by people for 66 years. Yes, I am cynical.
@iSpiritualisd suX cazhier..🤭
@Mroi123-v9lNo, Im a realist, hope for the best, plan for the worst
@PriscilaDelgadoCiprianAbsolutely brilliant from start to finish!
@sukiarain-w1yI’m incredibly impressed by your skill and clarity!
@sukiarain-w1yare you behind a windows computer?
@rayrayjnr5724What are the chances of this coming to my feed after just finished watching into the wild
@chiraghmehboob8726Love the content fr fr
@OttoFinanceA covardia é bem cínica!
@Badidea09i used to hang out with that guy
@Matty80822I'm an optimistic realistic 💪🏾😄💕👑💖🗾
@amyj.4992Karta se obrátila…
Ja už jsem dávno někde jinde než když jsem kvůli ni kupoval byt…
Davno…
Sleduj to…
I absolutely relate to Diogenes perspective. Society has turned its back on truth, integrity and honor. Everyone is out for the dollar. Rejecting this, to me, feels more important than any other thing I could do as an individual.
@zz-.-never knew hippies were cynics
@nevermind-zZ3Civilization first nepo baby. We call them crust punks in 2025
@CaptainDoctorScienceManGooning in public spaces... That's Philosophy folks...
@midlaner7950🤔 was this the first recorded person who ran out of give uh Fucks?
@Janis-kj5qiThis was the result of me telling bro to touch grass.
@DarkLight-4Feel the fear and do it anyways types iam nihilist pantheist and conformist
@AlbanAnthonyRose