Diogenes of Sinope and his philosophy. Diogenes of Sinope - the philosopher living in a barrel Diogenes of Sinope belonged to the school

Diogenes of Sinope (c. 404 - c. 323 BC) - ancient Greek philosopher, student and follower of Antisthenes. The sphere of philosophical interests were aspects of moral and ethical relations, interpreted by Diogenes of Sinope in the spirit of cynicism, and of an extremely rigoristic sense. Due to the large number of contradictory descriptions and doxographies, the figure of Diogenes of Sinope appears today in an excessively transformed form. The works attributed to him that have survived to this day were most likely created by followers and belong to a later period; information has also been preserved about the existence of at least five Diogenes, dating back to the same historical period.

All this significantly complicates the systematic organization of information about Diogenes of Sinope. Due to the widespread negative attitude towards the Cynics, the name of Diogenes of Sinope was often transferred from anecdotes and legends, in which it belonged to the ambivalent figure of a trickster-sage and integrated extensive fiction into the critical works of other philosophers (Aristotle, Diogenes Laertius, F. Sayer).

On the basis of anecdotes and parables, even an entire literary tradition of antiquity arose, embodied in the genres of apothegmata and chrys (Metroclus, Dion Chrysostom, etc.). The most famous story is about Diogenes of Sinope, who during the day with a lantern was looking for an honest man. (The same story was told about Aesop, Heraclitus, Democritus, Archilochus, etc.)

The main source of information about Diogenes of Sinope is the “Lives and Opinions” of Diogenes Laertius. Claiming the unsystematic views and the general absence of the teachings of Diogenes of Sinope, Diogenes Laertius nevertheless reports, referring to Sotion, about 14 works of Diogenes of Sinope, including both philosophical works ("On Virtue", "On the Good", etc.), and and several tragedies.

Having turned to the vast number of Cynic doxographies, one can come to the conclusion about the existence of a completely developed system of views of Diogenes of Sinope. According to these testimonies, he, preaching an ascetic lifestyle, despised luxury, was content with the dress of a tramp, using a wine barrel for his home, and in his means of expression he was often so straightforward and rude that he earned himself the names “Dog” and “crazy Socrates.”

There is no doubt that Diogenes of Sinope. and in his conversations and in everyday life he often behaved as a marginal subject, shocking this or that audience not so much with the goal of insulting or humiliating it, but rather out of the need to pay attention to the foundations of society, religious norms, the institution of marriage, etc. He asserted the primacy of virtue over the laws of society, rejected faith in gods established by religious institutions, and considered civilization a false invention of demagogues.

He promoted the relativity of generally accepted moral norms, the relativity of authorities not only among politicians, but also among philosophers. Thus, his relationship with Plato, whom he considered a chatterbox (Diogenes Laertius), is well known. It is quite legitimate to assert that his negative actions towards society were deliberately exaggerated in the subsequent tradition. Therefore, the entire history of the life and work of this thinker appears as a myth created by many historians and philosophers. It is difficult to find unambiguous information even of a biographical nature. So, for example, according to the testimony of Demetrius of Phalerum, the day of death of Diogenes of Sinope coincides with the day of death of Alexander the Great. Thanks to his originality, Diogenes of Sinope is one of the most prominent representatives of antiquity, and the Cynic paradigm he set later had a serious influence on a variety of philosophical concepts.

There were many Diogenes in Greece, but the most famous of them was, of course, the philosopher Diogenes, who lived in the city of Sinope in one of his famous barrels.

He did not immediately reach such a philosophical life. First, Diogenes met with the oracle and the soothsayer advised him: ““Reassess your values!” Diogenes understood this in the literal sense and began minting coins. While busy with this unseemly task, he saw a mouse running across the floor. And Diogenes thought - here is a mouse, she doesn’t care about what to drink, what to eat, what to wear, where to lie down. Looking at the mouse, Diogenes understood the meaning of existence, got himself a staff and a bag and began to walk around the cities and villages of Greece, often visited Corinth and it was there that he settled in a large round clay barrel.

His belongings were small - in his bag there was a bowl, a mug, a spoon. And seeing how the shepherd boy leaned over the stream and drank from his palm, Diogenes threw away the mug. His bag became lighter and soon, noticing the invention of another boy - he poured lentil soup directly into his palm - Diogenes threw away the bowl.

“It’s easy for a philosopher to get rich, but not interesting,” said the Greek sages and very often treated everyday well-being with undisguised contempt.

One of the seven wise men, Biant from Priene, together with other fellow countrymen, left his hometown taken by the enemy. Everyone carried and carried with them everything they could, and only Biant alone walked lightly, without any belongings.

"Hey, philosopher! Where is your goodness?! - Laughing, they shouted after him: “Have you really never gained anything in your entire life?”

"I carry everything that's mine with me! "- Biant answered proudly and the scoffers fell silent.

Living in a barrel, Diogenes hardened himself. He also specially hardened himself - in the summer he rolled on the hot sand of the sun, and in the winter he hugged statues covered with snow. The philosopher generally loved to shock his fellow countrymen and, perhaps, that is why so many stories have been preserved about his antics. Even Gogol’s Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov knew one of them.

One day on a holiday, a barefoot man suddenly appears in the market square in a rough cloak over his naked body, with a beggar’s bag, a thick stick and a lantern - he walks and shouts: “I’m looking for a man, I’m looking for a man!!”

People come running, and Diogenes swings a stick at them: “I called people, not slaves!”

After this incident, ill-wishers asked Diogenes: “Well, did you find a man?” to which Diogenes answered with a sad smile: “I found good children in Sparta, but not a single good husband anywhere.”

Diogenes confused not only the simple Sinopian and Corinthian people, but also his brother philosophers.

They say that once the divine Plato gave a lecture at his Academy and gave the following definition of man: “Man is an animal with two legs, without down or feathers,” and earned universal approval. The resourceful Diogenes, who did not like Plato and his philosophy, plucked a rooster and threw it into the audience shouting: “Here’s Plato’s man!”

Most likely this story is an anecdote. But it was obviously invented based on Diogenes’ amazing ability to philosophize through the very action, the very way of life.

Diogenes lived until the time of Alexander the Great and often met with him. Stories about these meetings usually begin with the words: “Once Alexander drove up to Diogenes.” The question arises, why would the great Alexander, at whose feet lay several conquered kingdoms, begin to drive up to the beggar philosopher Diogenes?!

Perhaps they always loved talking about such meetings because a beggar philosopher, prophet or holy fool could and did tell the kings the truth straight to their faces.

So, one day Alexander rode up to Diogenes and said:

I am Alexander - the great king!

And I am Diogenes the dog. I wag my tail to those who give to me, I bark at those who refuse, and I bite others.

Would you like to have lunch with me?

And then one day, when the mischievous boys took and broke his barrel, it was made of baked clay, the wise city authorities decided to flog the children so that they would be disgraceful, and give Diogenes a new barrel. Therefore, in the philosophical museum there should be two barrels - one old and broken, and the other new.

Legend says that Diogenes died on the same day as Alexander the Great. Alexander - at the age of thirty-three in distant and alien Babylon, Diogenes - in the eighty-ninth year of his life in his native Corinth on a city wasteland.

And a dispute arose between the few students about who should bury the philosopher. The matter, as usual, was not without a fight. But their fathers and representatives of the authorities came and buried Diogenes near the city gates. A column was erected over the grave, and on it was a dog carved from marble. Later, other compatriots honored Diogenes by erecting bronze monuments to him, on one of which was written:

"Time will age bronze, only Diogenes glory

Eternity will surpass itself and will never die!

He was smart and sharp-tongued, subtly noticing all the shortcomings of an individual and society. Diogenes of Sinope, whose works have come to us only in the form of retellings by later authors, is considered a mystery. He is at the same time a seeker of truth and a sage to whom it was revealed, a skeptic and a critic, a unifying link. In a word, a Man with a capital P, from whom modern people, accustomed to the benefits of civilization and technology, can learn a lot.

Diogenes of Sinope and his way of life

Many people remember from school that Diogenes was the name of the man who lived in a barrel in the middle of the Athenian square. A philosopher and eccentric, he nevertheless glorified his name throughout the centuries thanks to his own teachings, later called cosmopolitan. He harshly criticized Plato, pointing out to this ancient Greek scientist the shortcomings of his philosophy. He despised fame and luxury, laughed at those who glorify the mighty of the world in order to be held in high esteem. He preferred to run his house using a clay barrel, which could often be seen in the agora. Diogenes of Sinope traveled a lot throughout the Greek city-states, and considered himself a citizen of the whole world, that is, of space.

The path to truth

Diogenes, whose philosophy may seem contradictory and strange (and all due to the fact that his works have not reached us in their original form), was a student of Antisthenes. History says that the teacher at first strongly disliked the young man who was searching for the truth. This is because he was the son of a money changer, who not only was in prison (for money transactions), but also did not have the best reputation. The respectful Antisthenes tried to drive away the new student, and even beat him with a stick, but Diogenes did not budge. He thirsted for knowledge, and Antisthenes had to reveal it to him. Diogenes of Sinope considered his credo to be that he should continue his father’s work, but on a different scale. If his dad literally spoiled the coin, then the philosopher decided to spoil all established cliches, destroy traditions and prejudices. He wanted, as it were, to erase from those false values ​​that were implanted by him. Honor, glory, wealth - he considered all this to be a false inscription on coins made of base metal.

Citizen of the world and friend of dogs

The philosophy of Diogenes of Sinope is special and brilliant in its simplicity. Despising all material goods and values ​​as such, he settled in a barrel. True, some researchers believe that this was not an ordinary barrel in which water or wine was stored. Most likely, it was a large jug that had ritual significance: they were used for burial. The philosopher ridiculed the established norms of clothing, rules of behavior, religion, and lifestyle of the townspeople. He lived like a dog, on alms, and often called himself a four-legged animal. For this he was called a cynic (from the Greek word for dog). His life is entangled not only with many secrets, but also with comical situations; he is the hero of many jokes.

Common features with other teachings

The whole essence of Diogenes' teaching can be contained in one sentence: live content with what you have and be grateful for it. Diogenes of Sinope had a negative attitude towards art, as a manifestation of unnecessary benefits. After all, a person should study not ghostly matters (music, painting, sculpture, poetry), but himself. Prometheus, who brought fire to people and taught them to create various necessary and unnecessary objects, was considered justly punished. After all, titanium helped man create complexity and artificiality in modern life, without which life would be much easier. In this, the philosophy of Diogenes is similar to Taoism, the teachings of Rousseau and Tolstoy, but is more stable in its views.

Fearless to the point of recklessness, he calmly asked (who had conquered his country and came to meet the famous eccentric) to move away and not block the sun for him. The teachings of Diogenes help all who study his works to get rid of fear. Indeed, on the path of striving for virtue, he got rid of worthless earthly goods and acquired moral freedom. In particular, it was this thesis that was accepted by the Stoics, who developed it into a separate concept. But the Stoics themselves were unable to abandon all the advantages of a civilized society.

Like his contemporary Aristotle, Diogenes was cheerful. He did not preach withdrawal from life, but only called for detachment from external, fragile goods, thereby laying the foundations for optimism and a positive outlook on all occasions in life. Being a very energetic person, the philosopher in the barrel was the direct opposite of the boring and respectable sages with their teachings intended for tired people.

The meaning of the philosophy of the sage of Sinop

The lit lantern (or torch, according to other sources), with which he searched for a person during the day, became an example of contempt for the norms of society back in ancient times. This special view of life and values ​​attracted other people who became followers of the madman. And the teaching of the Cynics itself was recognized as the shortest road to virtue.

Diogenes of Sinope (circa (412 BC - June 10, 323 BC)) - ancient Greek philosopher, a prominent representative of the Cynecus school, student and follower of its founder Antisthenes. He went down in history, first of all, for his eccentricity and asceticism.

The main source of information about Diogenes of Sinope is Diogenes Laertius, a late antique historian of philosophy who presumably lived in the 2nd-3rd centuries and wrote the treatise “On the Life, Teachings and Sayings of Famous Philosophers.” The presentation of philosophical views in this treatise is sometimes inaccurate, interspersed with funny biographical anecdotes (including clearly fictitious and even obscene).

Diogenes' childhood and youth

According to Diogenes Laertius, the future ancient Greek philosopher was born in 412 BC, in the city of Sinope, located on the Black Sea coast. Nothing is known about Diogenes' mother. The boy’s father, Hykesius, worked as a trapezite - that’s what money changers and money lenders were called in Ancient Greece. Diogenes' childhood passed through turbulent times - conflicts constantly flared up in his hometown between pro-Greek and pro-Persian groups. Due to the difficult social situation, Hykesius began to counterfeit coins, but the meal was quickly caught red-handed. Diogenes, who was also about to be arrested and punished, managed to escape from the city. And so began the guy’s journey, which led him to Delphi.

In Delphi, tired and exhausted, Diogenes turned to the local oracle with the question of what to do next. The answer, as expected, was vague: “Reconsider values ​​and priorities.” At that moment, Diogenes did not understand these words, so he did not attach any significance to them and went on wandering.

Barrel of Diogenes

The road led Diogenes to Athens, where he encountered the philosopher Antisthenes in the city square. It is not known how their acquaintance took place, but Antisthenes struck Diogenes to the core, and Diogenes aroused a feeling of hostility in Antisthenes. Then Diogenes decided to stay in Athens to become a student of the philosopher.

Diogenes did not have money (according to some sources, it was stolen by his comrade Manes, with whom Diogenes arrived in Athens), so he could not afford to buy a house or even rent a room. But this did not become a problem for the future philosopher: Diogenes dug next to the temple of Cybele (not far from the Athenian agora - the central square) a pithos - a large clay vessel, in which the Greeks stored grain, wine, oil or buried people. And he began to live in pithos. Later historical and artistic tradition replaced the “pithos” with the “barrel”, which was more familiar to Europeans, which served as the basis for the expression “Diogenes’ barrel.” One day the boys destroyed his house and the Athenians provided him with a new pithos.

Philosophy of Diogenes

Although not immediately, Diogenes managed to become a student of Antisthenes, the founder of the Cynic school. The elderly philosopher could not get rid of the persistent student even after beating him with a stick. And ultimately, it was this student who glorified Cynicism as a school of ancient philosophy. Diogenes still lived in his barrel, but not at all because he could not earn a living.

The philosophy of Diogenes was based on asceticism, the renunciation of all living goods, and the imitation of nature. Diogenes proclaimed the ideal of asceticism using the example of a mouse that was not afraid of anything, did not strive for anything and was content with little. Diogenes' life in a clay jug - pithos, and the use of a cloak instead of a bed illustrated this principle. The only things he had were a bag and a staff. Sometimes he was seen walking barefoot in the snow. He only asked Alexander the Great not to block the sun for him. The meaning of asceticism was that true happiness lies in freedom and independence

Diogenes did not recognize states, politicians, religions and clergy, and considered himself a cosmopolitan - a citizen of the world.

Shocking

Diogenes shocked his contemporaries, in particular, he ate in the square (in the time of Diogenes, public eating was considered indecent) and openly engaged in masturbation, saying: “If only hunger could be relieved by rubbing the stomach!” During a conversation with Alexander the Great, the philosopher called himself a dog, but Diogenes called himself that way before. One day, several townspeople threw him a bone like a dog and wanted to force him to chew it. However, they could not predict the result - like a dog, Diogenes took revenge on bullies and offenders by urinating on them.

There were also less extravagant performances. Seeing the incompetent archer, Diogenes sat down near the target, saying that this was the safest place. Standing naked in the rain. When the townspeople tried to take Diogenes under the canopy, Plato said that they shouldn’t: the best help for Diogenes’ vanity would be to not touch him.

Disputes with Plato

Diogenes argued with Plato on several occasions. Once, trampling a mat, he exclaimed: “I am trampling Plato’s arrogance.” When Plato said that man is “a biped without feathers,” Diogenes plucked the rooster and called him Plato’s man. Plato, in turn, called him “the maddened Socrates.” Objecting to Plato’s teaching about the essence of things, Diogenes said: “I see the cup, but not the cup.” Seeing the meager lifestyle of Diogenes, Plato noticed that even in slavery to the tyrant of Syracuse Dionysius, he did not wash his own vegetables, to which he received the answer that if he had washed the vegetables himself, he would not have ended up in slavery.

It is also known about the conflict with other philosophers, including Anaximenes of Lampsacus and Aristippus. In between skirmishes with competitors, Diogenes continued to do weird things and answer people's questions. One of the philosopher’s eccentricities gave the name to another popular expression – “Diogenes’ lantern.” The philosopher walked around the square with a lantern during the day, exclaiming: “I am looking for a man.” In this way he expressed his attitude towards the people around him.

Diogenes often spoke unflatteringly about the inhabitants of Athens. One day Diogenes began to give a philosophical lecture in the city square. Nobody listened to him. Then Diogenes screeched like a bird, and a hundred onlookers gathered around. “This, Athenians, is the price of your mind,” Diogenes told them. - “When I told you smart things, no one paid attention to me, and when I chirped like an unreasonable bird, you listen to me with your mouth open.” Diogenes considered the Athenians unworthy to be called people. He mocked religious ceremonies and despised those who believed in dream-readers. He considered demagogues and politicians to be flatterers of the mob. He declared himself a citizen of the world; promoted the relativity of generally accepted moral norms.

Death of Diogenes

When the Battle of Chaeronea (338 BC) took place between the Greeks and the Macedonian king Philip II, Diogenes left Athens, going by ship to the shores of Aegina. However, it was not possible to get there - the ship was captured by pirates, and everyone on it was either killed or captured. Diogenes was also captured. According to other sources, he participated in this battle, where he was also captured by the Macedonians.

The slave trade flourished in those days, so Diogenes also did not escape his fate - the slave market, where he was bought by the Corinthian Xeanides so that the philosopher would teach his children. It is worth noting that Diogenes was a good teacher - in addition to horse riding, throwing darts, history and Greek literature, the philosopher taught the children of Xeanidas to eat and dress modestly, as well as to engage in physical exercise to maintain their physical fitness and health.

Friends offered the philosopher to buy him out of slavery, but he refused, claiming that this illustrated the fact that even in slavery he could be “the master of his master.” But it is quite possible that Diogenes enjoyed a roof over his head and regular meals.

The philosopher died on the same day as Alexander the Great - June 10, 323, while in slavery under Xeanides. They buried Diogenes face down - as he asked. At his grave in Corinth there was a tombstone made of Parian marble with words of gratitude from his students and wishes for eternal glory. A dog was also made from marble, symbolizing the life of Diogenes. The epitaph read:

Let the copper grow old under the power of time - still
Your glory will survive the centuries, Diogenes:
You taught us how to live, being content with what you have,
You showed us a path that couldn’t be easier.

Personal life

Diogenes denied the family and the state, arguing that children and wives are common, and there are no borders between countries. Based on this, it is difficult to establish the philosopher’s biological children.

Works of Diogenes

According to Diogenes Laertius, the philosopher from Sinope left behind 14 philosophical works and 2 tragedies (in some sources the number of tragedies is 7). The works themselves have not survived; they are known thanks to other writers and philosophers who use the sayings and sayings of Diogenes. Diogenes' works include "On Wealth", "On Virtue", "The Athenian People", "The Science of Morals" and "On Death", and his tragedies include "Hercules" and "Helen".

Incidents from the life of Diogenes

A famous story has been preserved: when someone argued that movement does not exist, Diogenes simply got up and began to walk.

Once, already an old man, Diogenes saw a boy drinking water from a handful, and in frustration threw his cup out of his bag, saying: “The boy has surpassed me in the simplicity of life.” He also threw away the bowl when he saw another boy who, having broken his bowl, was eating lentil soup from a piece of eaten bread.

Diogenes begged for alms from the statues “to accustom himself to refusal.”

When Diogenes asked someone to borrow money, he did not say “give me money,” but “give me my money.”

When Alexander the Great came to Attica, he, of course, wanted to get to know the famous “outcast” like many others. Plutarch says that Alexander waited a long time for Diogenes himself to come to him to pay his respects, but the philosopher spent his time calmly at home. Then Alexander himself decided to visit him. And, finding Diogenes in Crania (in a gymnasium near Corinth), when he was basking in the sun, he approached him and said: “I am the great King Alexander.” “And I,” answered Diogenes, “the dog Diogenes.” “And why do they call you a dog?” “Whoever throws a piece, I wag, whoever doesn’t throw, I bark, whoever is an evil person, I bite.” “Are you afraid of me?” - asked Alexander. “What are you,” asked Diogenes, “evil or good?” “Good,” he said. “And who is afraid of good?” Finally, Alexander said: “Ask me whatever you want.” “Move away, you are blocking the sun for me,” said Diogenes and continued to bask. On the way back, in response to the jokes of his friends who were making fun of the philosopher, Alexander allegedly even remarked: “If I were not Alexander, I would like to become Diogenes.” Ironically, Alexander died on the same day as Diogenes, June 10, 323 BC. e.

When the Athenians were preparing for war with Philip of Macedon and bustle and excitement reigned in the city, Diogenes began to roll his clay barrel in which he lived through the streets back and forth. When asked why he was doing this, Diogenes replied: “Everyone is in trouble now, that’s why it’s not good for me to be idle, but I roll pithos because I have nothing else.”

Diogenes said that grammarians study the disasters of Odysseus and do not know their own; musicians fret the strings of the lyre and cannot control their own temper; mathematicians follow the sun and moon, but do not see what is under their feet; rhetoricians teach to speak correctly and do not teach to act correctly; Finally, misers scold money, but they themselves love it most of all.

Diogenes' lantern, with which he wandered through crowded places in broad daylight with the words “I am looking for a Man,” became a textbook example back in antiquity.

One day, after washing, Diogenes was leaving the bathhouse, and acquaintances who were just about to wash were walking towards him. “Diogenes,” they asked in passing, “how is it full of people?” “That’s enough,” Diogenes nodded. Immediately he met other acquaintances who were also going to wash and also asked: “Hello, Diogenes, are there a lot of people washing?” “There are almost no people,” Diogenes shook his head.

Returning once from Olympia, when asked whether there were many people there, he replied: “There are a lot of people, but very few people.” And one day he went out into the square and shouted: “Hey, people, people!”; but when the people came running, Diogenes attacked him with a stick, saying: “I called people, not scoundrels.”

When Plato gave a definition that had great success: “Man is an animal with two legs, devoid of feathers,” Diogenes plucked the rooster and brought it to his school, declaring: “Here is Plato’s man!” To which Plato was forced to add “... and with flat nails” to his definition.

One day Diogenes came to a lecture with Anaximenes of Lampsacus, sat in the back rows, took a fish out of a bag and raised it above his head. First one listener turned around and began to look at the fish, then another, then almost everyone. Anaximenes was indignant: “You ruined my lecture!” “But what is a lecture worth,” said Diogenes, “if some salted fish upset your reasoning?”

Diogenes, seeing how the slaves of Anaximenes of Lampsacus were carrying numerous belongings, asked who they belonged to. When they answered him that Anaximenes, he was indignant: “And isn’t it a shame for him, owning such property, not to control himself?”

When asked which wine tastes best to him, he answered: “Someone else’s.”

One day, someone brought him to a luxurious home and remarked: “You see how clean it is here, don’t spit somewhere, it will be all right for you.” Diogenes looked around and spat in his face, declaring: “Where to spit if there is no worse place.”

When someone was reading a long work and an unwritten place at the end of the scroll appeared, Diogenes exclaimed: “Courage, friends: the shore is visible!”

To the inscription of one newlywed who wrote on his house: “The son of Zeus, victorious Hercules, dwells here, let no evil enter!” Diogenes added: “First war, then alliance.”

One day Diogenes begged for alms from a man with a bad character. “I’ll give you money if you convince me,” he said. “If I could convince you,” said Diogenes, “I would convince you to hang yourself.”

Someone reproached him for damaging the coin. “That was the time,” said Diogenes, “when I was what you are now; but you will never become what I am now.” Someone else reproached him with the same thing. Diogenes replied: “Once upon a time I wet my bed, but now I don’t.”

Seeing the son of a hetaera throwing stones into the crowd, Diogenes said: “Beware of hitting your father!”

In a large crowd of people, where Diogenes was also present, a young man involuntarily released gases, for which Diogenes hit him with a stick and said: “Listen, you bastard, having really done nothing to behave impudently in public, you began to show us your contempt for the opinions of the [majority]?

One day the philosopher Aristippus, who made a fortune by praising a tyrant, saw Diogenes washing lentils and said: “If you had glorified the tyrant, you would not have to eat lentils!” To which Diogenes objected: “If you learned to eat lentils, then you would not have to glorify the tyrant!”

Once, when Antisthenes swung a stick at him, Diogenes, putting his head up, said: “Strike, but you will not find such a strong stick to drive me away until you say something.” From then on, he became a student of Antisthenes and, being an exile, led a very simple life.

Aphorisms of Diogenes

Poverty itself paves the way to philosophy. What philosophy tries to convince in words, poverty forces us to do in practice.

Philosophy and medicine have made man the most intelligent of animals, fortune telling and astrology the most insane, superstition and despotism the most unfortunate.

Treat dignitaries like fire: do not stand either very close or very far from them.

When extending your hand to friends, do not clench your fingers into a fist.

The slanderer is the most fierce of wild beasts; The flatterer is the most dangerous of tame animals.

Gratitude ages the fastest.

Death is not evil, for there is no dishonor in it.

Diogenes is one of the greatest philosophers of Ancient Greece, but not much is known about his life. Diogenes was considered a representative of cynical philosophy.

He used puns and jokes as a means of teaching. Diogenes believed that a person's happiness lies in physical life and that only with self-sufficiency, rigor, self-knowledge and exercise can a decent life be ensured.

Diogenes was born in the Ionian city of Sinope in 412 BC. (according to other sources in 399 BC). His father was convicted of counterfeiting money, so his son decided to leave this city. Accompanied by his slave Mani, Diogenes came to Athens, but he left him soon after their arrival in the city. Diogenes was slightly saddened by the departure of his slave. On this occasion, he said: “if Mani can live without Diogenes, why won’t Diogenes live without Mani?” Such a comment was said to preach the greatest human value of self-sufficiency and ridiculed "masters" who could not do without their slaves.

In Athens, Diogenes learned about Antisthenes, a student of Socrates, who was known for his ascetic life and unconventional, cynical views. Diogenes accepted and supported the philosopher's views because he was the real successor of Socrates, and not Plato, whom he often ridiculed. When Plato defined man as “an animal with two legs and without feathers,” Diogenes brought a plucked rooster, saying: “Look! I brought you a man."

Diogenes rejected luxury - he walked in rags and lived in a pithos (large clay barrel). Thus, he wanted to show that the joy of life is that which nature offers, and that everything else is unacceptable for man.

They told him that he lived like a dog, he agreed because he called himself a dog. Followers of cynical philosophy (κῠνικοί cynics), preached cynicism - a dog's life (κύων - dog in ancient Greek), i.e. simplicity of life, fidelity, despised conventions. They stated that "we are different from other dogs because we do not kill our enemies, but want to correct them."

There is a known case when Alexander the Great decided to have a little fun, having learned that Diogenes called himself a dog, he sent him a gift - gnawed bones. To which Diogenes replied: “For a dog, the food was worthy, but for a royal gift it was unworthy.” There was another meeting between Diogenes and Alexander, then the great commander asked Diogenes what he could do for him, hinting that he wanted to improve his living conditions, to which the philosopher’s answer was: “Move away, don’t block the sun for me!”

Often in the city Diogenes walked with a lantern and even during the day, he still wanted to find an honest man, but found only “scoundrels” and “scoundrels.”

When asked what kind of treatment he would like for his body after death, he replied that he would prefer to be eaten by wild animals.

Diogenes died in 323 BC, in Corinth, having lived 90 years. According to D. Laertius, on the same day that Alexander the Great died in Babylon.

Cynics

The Cynics are one of the most significant philosophical schools of antiquity, which was founded in Athens by Antisthenes (445-360 or 444-368 BC). In addition to Athenian citizens, the school accepted people without Athenian citizenship.

The "Cynics" were the spiritual descendants of Socrates, belonging to schools called "minor Socratic schools", which took much of their principles from the Sophists regarding their method of teaching and referred to their teaching.

For Antisthenes and his disciples, philosophy is purely secular wisdom, while Virtue still remains the goal of life. The Cynics preached a "practical" ethics in which, paradoxically, "Virtue" does not depend on Knowledge, but is the result of exercise, dependence and self-control, through liberation from so-called needs through a natural lifestyle with simplicity, firmness and self-determination.

Diogenes born in the city of Sinop in 412 BC. died in 323 in the city of Corinth. The philosopher and great thinker of Ancient Greece, Diogenes, was a student of Antisthenes, who founded the school. According to sources, Diogenes was the son of a money changer-merchant. One day, having approached the oracle and asked him a question: “What is my calling in life, what should I do?”, he received a rather strange answer: “Reassessment of values.” Diogenes initially understood this as reminting coins, but when he was expelled, the philosopher realized his calling.

Philosopher Diogenes of Sinope

When Diogenes of Sinope arrived in Athens, he found Antisthenes and stayed with him. There is a well-known story that Antisthenes tried to drive away a potential student by swinging a stick at him. To which Diogenes, exposing his head to the blow, said:

“Strike, but you won’t find a stick strong enough to drive me away until you say something.”

Diogenes lived in a clay vessel - pithos, located underground. Oil, grain, wine, olives were usually stored in such vessels, and even people were buried. The information that he lived in a barrel is unreliable - the Greeks did not make wooden barrels at that time. Diogenes' home was not far from the Athenian Agora (a famous place in Athens with an area of ​​5 hectares). One day, Diogenes’s home was destroyed by children, but the townspeople provided him with a new vessel.

Diogenes had someone to argue with, and often the object of his ridicule and the person whom Diogenes so zealously criticized was. For example, in response to Plato’s saying that man is “a biped without feathers,” Diogenes plucked a rooster and shouted that this is a man according to Plato. Plato also did not remain in debt and called Diogenes mad. Diogenes criticized Plato’s philosophical concept of the essence of things, saying: “I see the cup, but not the cup.” When Plato noticed the meager lifestyle of Diogenes, he noted, referring to himself: “When I was in the slavery of Syracuse to the tyrant Dionysius, I did not even wash the vegetables there,” to which Diogenes answered him: “I would not have fallen into slavery if I would wash them myself.”

Diogenes constantly shocked those around him with his behavior. The image of Diogenes with a lantern lit in broad daylight and the phrase “I am looking for a man” became classics during his lifetime.

Also, Diogenes argued that musicians tune the strings of the lyre, but are not in harmony with themselves and their own character. One day, Diogenes was leaving the bathhouse and met some acquaintances along the way, and when asked how many people were there, he answered, “There are plenty.” A little later I met more acquaintances and when asked if there were many people there, he shook his head and said that he didn’t see people there.

Slavery of Diogenes of Sinope

Diogenes of Sinope took part in the Battle of Chaeronea, (Battle of Chaeronea), but suddenly became a prisoner of the Macedonians and was sold into slavery from the slave market. When asked what he could do, he answered: “Rule people.” The philosopher was bought by the wealthy Xeniades as a teacher and mentor to his children. Diogenes taught children to throw darts and ride horses, while simultaneously teaching them Greek poetry and history.

Asceticism of Diogenes of Sinope

Diogenes of Sinope, through his way of life, spoke about the ideal of asceticism and used as an example a mouse that did not strive for anything and was not afraid of anything, but lived content with the minimum. If we go into the essence of asceticism, then its main meaning is precisely in gaining independence and striving for freedom.

Diogenes was a very extraordinary person, not to say “strange.” For example, he was seen walking barefoot in the snow. And when Attica, where he lived, was on the brink of war with Philip of Macedon, Diogenes rolled his pithos (clay barrel) back and forth. To the question: “Why are you doing this when everyone is preparing for war?”, he said that everyone is busy and he also needs something to do, and he rolls a barrel because he has nothing else.

Alexander the Great and Diogenes

The great king and politician Alexander the Great, upon arriving in Attica, decided to look at the famous thinker Diogenes, and waited for him to come to him, but Diogenes was in no hurry. Then Alexander the Great came to him himself and said:

“I am the great King, Alexander the Great”

And immediately I heard in response: “And I am the dog Diogenes.”

“And why do they call you a dog?” - asked the king.
“Whoever throws a piece, I wag; whoever doesn’t throw it, I bark; whoever is an evil person, I bite,” answered the philosopher.
“Are you afraid of me?” — Alexander the Great asked the next question.
“What are you?” - asked Diogenes, - “Evil or good?”
“Good,” answered the king.
“And who is afraid of good?”

Realizing that Diogenes is really not so simple and very smart despite all his outlandish habits, Alexander said:

"Ask me for whatever you want"

“Move away, you are blocking the sun for me,” said Diogenes

Interesting fact: Alexander the Great and Diogenes of Sinope died on the same day - June 10, 323 BC. uh

Diogenes of Sinope, quotes

“When extending your hand to friends, do not clench your fingers into a fist.”
“Poverty itself paves the way to philosophy; what philosophy tries to do
convince in words, poverty forces you to carry it out in deeds.”
“You teach the illiterate and unenlightened the so-called graceful
arts, so that when you need them, you have educated
People. Why don’t you re-educate the bad ones so that you can use them later?
use them when there is a need for honest people, just like you
do you need thugs to capture someone else’s city or camp?”
“The evil-speaker is the fiercest of wild beasts; the flatterer is the most dangerous of
tame animals."
“Gratitude ages the fastest.”
“Philosophy and medicine have made man the most intelligent of animals;
fortune telling and astrology - the craziest; superstition and despotism - the most
unhappy."
“Those who keep animals must recognize that rather they serve
animals than animals to them.”
“Death is not evil, for there is no dishonor in it.”
“Philosophy gives you readiness for any turn of fate.”
"I am a citizen of the world."