Abstract

A short time ago, in The Greek Praise of Poverty: Origins of Ancient Cynicsm, William Desmond argued that cynicism was a purely classical phenomenon rooted in Greek experience. He concluded that cynicism "... has not been, and perhaps never will be, fully transplanted out of its original soil in the culture of classical Greece". Now Desmond offers an introduction to ancient cynicism, especially for the benefit of students. He makes clear the substantial difficulties of the topic by beginning with the legend of Alexander the Great's meeting with Diogenes of Sinope, the most famous of all Cynics. Although this familiar story is found in Diogenes Laertius, who wrote hundreds of years after Alexander and Diogenes, Desmond points out that the story contains an elemental idea of ancient cynicism: simplicity rises above royal vanity. He indicates that modern "cynics" differ from ancient Cynics, who were optimistic about human nature: humans are good, but have been corrupted by custom, from which they may be cured. Ancient cynicism was a complex mixture of shamelessness and idealism, anti-nomianism and radical idealism. Desmond notes the variety of forms of cynicism, including both poor wanderers who were free and those who admired ideals of the Cynics without practicing their difficult lifestyle. Despite the varied personalities of Cynics and their admirers, Desmond finds a unity underlying multiplicity. He provides both an overview of key figures in their cultural contexts and their themes: renunciation of custom, a life according to nature, self-sufficiency, and political freedom.