What is Virtue for a Cynic: Promiscuous Sexual Intercourse
It could not have included sexual morality for the Cynics advocated promiscuous sexual intercourse, including incest (D. L. 6, 72; Philodemus, On the Stoics; Dio Chrysostom 10, 29-30). The Cynics were non-intellectual and even anti-intellectual and hence could not have identified virtue with knowledge, as Socrates did (Aristotle, Eudem. Ethics 1, 5).
"To the Greeks goodness was always something positive; it meant a habit of the soul that enabled the possessor of it to do something" (John Burnet, Gr. Phil, Thales to Plato, p. 173). When Protagoras claims to make men better, Socrates comes back with the question, "In what and for what?" (Plato, Protagoras 318). Protagoras answers that his pupil will learn "to order his own house in the best manner, and he will be able to speak and act for the best in the affairs of the state"; he says further that his object is "to make men good citizens" (Ibid. 318-319; cf. Plato, Meno). Virtue could not have had any such positive sense to the Cynics, for Cynicism was a doctrine of inaction and negation of life. The word "virtue" seems to have had for the Cynics no other meaning than leading a Cynic life and the possession of Cynic characteristics— hardihood, poverty, indifference, apathy, etc.
Image: Plato
Marble, copy of portrait made by Silanion ca. 370 BC
Capitoline Museums
Photo © Marie-Lan Nguyen / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY 2.5
Blogging Diogenes of Sinope by Farrand Sayre
The Cynics Referred to the Habits of Animals
Slump towards Animalism
Attitude of the Cynics Towards Pleasure
Happiness Did Not Exclude Pleasure
Diogenes as Hedonist
Short Road to Happiness or Short Cut to Virtue?
Despising Pleasure is Pleasurable
What is Virtue for a Cynic: Cats for Thievery
The Cynic Sought Freedom
Labor Did Not Enter into the Cynic Scheme of Life
The Easy Life of the Cynic
The Cynic was Fond of Comparing Himself with Kings and Emperors
The Object of the Cynic was Happiness
"Do you Think Cynics are Lonely"
Informative indeed ...Pythagoras says 40 days 40 nights of cleansing to be allowed admittance to enter the school of thought in truth
Thank you Kindly
Thanks Whiteflame. I have followed you and upvoted your posts.
Keep in mind that I don't necessarily agree with everything Farrand Sayre says. However I think his book is a good introduction to ancient philosophy.
Indeed, as well, Hermes and The art of alchemical hermetics is something profoundly wise in self creation, Only has faith and knows that humanity would know to know where Ole Quicksilver is now with only a small amount of faith.
As , well, I am intrigued to say the least , and your written word is well Crafted, Athena is to one The wisdom ...As Pistis Sophia is to Christ In the west...or better said Mary to Jesus christ.,...or i suppose Athena then to the Greek Christos or Kryst is it.....
Congratulations! This post has been upvoted from the communal account, @minnowsupport, by roomerkind from the Minnow Support Project. It's a witness project run by aggroed, ausbitbank, teamsteem, theprophet0, someguy123, neoxian, followbtcnews/crimsonclad, and netuoso. The goal is to help Steemit grow by supporting Minnows and creating a social network. Please find us in the Peace, Abundance, and Liberty Network (PALnet) Discord Channel. It's a completely public and open space to all members of the Steemit community who voluntarily choose to be there.
@mrainp420 has voted on behalf of @minnowpond. If you would like to recieve upvotes from minnowponds team on all your posts, simply FOLLOW @minnowpond.
@royrodgers has voted on behalf of @minnowpond. If you would like to recieve upvotes from minnowpond on all your posts, simply FOLLOW @minnowpond. To be Resteemed to 4k+ followers and upvoted heavier send 0.25SBD to @minnowpond with your posts url as the memo
Good post, excellent, congratulations