Greek Cynics by Farrand Sayre
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| Greek Cynics by Farrand Sayre |
Greek Cynics by Farrand Sayre delves into the philosophy and history of Cynicism in ancient Greece. The book explores the various versions of Cynicism, including those of Epictetus, Julian, Theodor Gomperz, and D. R. Dudley. The author attempts to present the Greek Cynics as they truly were and to explain their unique philosophy.
Unlike other philosophical schools, the Cynics did not have any authoritative writings or canons. They were mostly illiterate and did not leave behind any written works. Our knowledge of Cynicism comes from observers who were not Cynics themselves, but who sometimes presented a favorable view of the philosophy. The Stoics, in particular, saw a connection between their own philosophy and that of the Cynics.
The book discusses the Letters of Diogenes and Crates, which were likely written by Stoics attempting to portray Cynicism in a positive light. Other ancient writers, such as Lucian, Tertullian, and Maximus Tyrius, also explored the Cynic perspective in their works. However, there was a tendency among later philosophers like Epictetus and Julian to idealize the earlier Cynics and imagine a more profound philosophy than what was actually practiced.
The author delves into the figure of Diogenes of Sinope, a semi-mythical character who became synonymous with Cynicism. Many stories and anecdotes about Diogenes were passed down orally, and it is believed that only a fraction of these tales have been preserved. Some of these stories may not accurately reflect Cynic philosophy, as non-Cynics likely contributed to the legend of Diogenes.
The book is divided into chapters that explore different aspects of Greek Cynicism, including the sources of Cynicism, the legend of Diogenes, the role of Antisthenes, and appendices on other prominent Cynic figures like Crates of Thebes and Bion of Borysthenes. The author provides a comprehensive index for easy reference.
Overall, Greek Cynics offers a detailed and insightful look into the world of ancient Cynicism, shedding light on a philosophy that was often misunderstood and misrepresented by later thinkers.
Contents of the bookGreek Cynicism 1
The Sources of Cynicism 28
Diogenes of Sinope 50
The Diogenes Legend 68
Antisthenes the Socratic 84
Appendix I, Crates of Thebes 97
Appendix II, Bion of Borysthenes 102
Index 110
Download Greek Cynics - PDF- 5 MB hosted on Google Drive
- Author: Farrand Sayre
- Publication date:1946
Download Greek Cynics - PDF- 5 MB hosted on Google Drive
