The cost of independent thought, autonomy and self-sufficiency is social ostracisation. To them, Diogenes would say- "Do not forfeit your personal autonomy to please the king".Ĥ) Independence of Thought and Unpopularity Hypocrisy in our lives grows ten-fold when people surrender their values and truths to external fears of rejection, ridicule and lack. Diogenes's spirit would implore you to break all social conventions and speak your radical truths by fighting customs that reflect social pretence and artificiality.Īs a modern society, we must think about how much wastage of life's potential, exploitation of nature, destruction of virtues and mental health issues could we avoid by adhering to truth and reason when dealing with society. As of now, consumerism has become a one-way road.įor a man who lived in a huge ceramic jar for a home, authenticity meant everything. Overcoming desires and fears of lack of abundance are both equally important in his view. Not to say that private fortune is wrong, but Diogenes would disapprovingly shake his head when he sees that people's wealth has taken them far away from their true nature. ![]() The difference in wealth equality and consumption rates among different population groups all over the world is a result of following a maximalism mindset. Yet consumerism today rampantly promotes - possession, hoarding and private wealth. One is about control while the other is about creating harmony with nature and our needs.ĭiogenes has more to say on what constitutes a good/virtuous lifestyle.Ģ) Simplicity, Self-Sufficiency and Self Masteryĭiogenes preferred men to follow a minimalistic approach to possessions. Artificial demand and planned obsolescence, stand in direct contrast to minimalism, yet they are inseparable constituents of current business policies (mostly).Ī planned economy (including demand, supply and capital cycles) and managing an economy must be understood as separate notions, yet we often lose our way between the two. Modern business tenets are often quite the opposite. Diogenes proposed that we accept nature (both the external environment and especially our natural internal disposition) and harmonize with it. Nature here, means both the external nature and the internal nature of humankind. Let's examine Diogenes - one the most influential and ancient proponents of 'minimalism' and apply his worldviews to the modern world and lifestyle context based on these 5 Tenets of Cynicism: Our world today is not run entirely by the seats of military powers or divine lineage (the royalty) but is carefully balanced on an economic equilibrium which needs to be 'fed resources' continuously to exist. They believed that true happiness could be attained by keeping reason and acceptance of one's own nature above societal influences. The Cynics thereafter generally rejected conventional social norms and values, advocating instead for a life of self-sufficiency, austerity, and freedom from desires. Let's take a look at some of these crucial philosophical tenets of his thought school, that allowed him to be one of the most courageous men of his time.Īs espoused by Diogenes, Cynicism focused on living a simple and virtuous life in sync with nature. Moreover, he criticized social hierarchies, political institutions, and the pursuit of wealth and power. He famously lived in a large ceramic jar and rejected material possessions. The protagonist of our story - Diogenes, the archetypal Cynic, was greatly influenced by the philosophies of these naked, forest-dwelling ascetics, who served as teachers, healers, priests, seekers of truth and advisors to the royalty, in all kingdoms that spanned the middle earth (the Northern Tropic region).ĭiogenes was known for his extreme asceticism and disregard for social conventions. The proponents and the backbone of this great Eastern civilisation were the ones called the Gymnosophists ("naked philosophers" or "naked wise men") by the ancient Greeks. ![]() Firm in its foundations of knowledge and spirituality, and bright in its potential- it served the world by showing them the right direction. Parallel to the great Mediterranean civilizations of the classical antiquity period like ancient Greece, Roman, Persian etc, the Indian Civilisations stood as a Northern Star. This incident made Alexander accept that if he were not Alexander the Great, he would prefer to be like Diogenes. Yes, the crowd present around them thought exactly what you are thinking right now. When the mighty "King of Kings" sought an audience with this odd philosophical entity they called "Diogenes of Sinope", he replied- "Please move aside, you are blocking my sunlight". Some 1700 years ago (in 323 BC), an ascetic was approached by the most feared man on Earth- Alexandar the Great.
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