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Though they often suggest that they have discovered the quickest, and perhaps surest, path to the virtuous life, they recognize the difficulty of this route. Cf. Refuse to accept your craving for the high opinions of others. JAMIL ZAKI: Yeah, theres lots of correlational evidence about the role of cynicism and anti-cynicism in workplaces, so theres tons of data at this point, decades of In classical philosophy, cynicism has a completely different meaning, almost the opposite of what it means today! The city of Gadara, only a day's walk from Nazareth, was particularly notable as a centre of Cynic philosophy,[77] and Mack has described Jesus as a "rather normal Cynic-type figure. It is through their practices, the selves and lives that they cultivated, that we come to know the particular Cynic thos. John Spacey, October 26, 2021. People widely believe that cynicism is a sign of intelligence and cognitive ability, but this belief is usually wrong. We can most definitely conclude, however, that modern cynicism is detrimental. This captures the crux of the Cynic notion of living in accord with nature and contrary to convention. Diogenes cosmopolitanism represents, then, a first suggestion that human affiliation ought to be to humanity rather than a single state. Nihilists, on the other hand, reject all moral principles and believe that life is completely meaningless. Bunch of jackasses, standing in a circle. (Rocket Raccoon, Guardians of the Galaxy). As such asksisa Greek word meaning a kind of training of the self or practiceis fundamental. Nothing could change her cynicism about politics. Of the 164 people with high levels of cynicism, 14 people developed dementia, compared to nine of the 212 people with low levels of cynicism. An obscure reference to "the Dog" in Aristotle's, Christian August Brandis, Scholium on Aristotle's. As human beings, we often use humor to process negative emotions and deal with unpleasant experiences. The original cynicism was a philosophical movement likely founded by Antisthenes, a student of Socrates, and popularized by Diogenes of Sinope around the fifth century B.C. Webcynic. This can be as obvious as thinking, I am better than someone else because I was born in this country, or as subtle as feeling slightly superior to a colleague because of my academic affiliation. That way, when you criticize them, youre a mile away and you have their shoes., This joke is a cynical response to a common moral sentiment. House is another classic example of a cynic. Cynicism is distrust in the goodness of things and people. [21], The ancient Cynics rejected conventional social values, and would criticise the types of behaviours, such as greed, which they viewed as causing suffering. Holden Caulfield is one of literatures great cynics. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. [1] A cynic may have a general lack of faith or hope in people motivated by ambition, desire, greed, gratification, materialism, goals, and opinions that a cynic perceives as vain, unobtainable, or ultimately meaningless. In order to live the Cynic life, one had to be inured to the various physical hardships entailed by such freedom. Emphasis on this aspect of their teachings led, in the late 18th and early 19th centuries,[22] to the modern understanding of cynicism as "an attitude of scornful or jaded negativity, especially a general distrust of the integrity or professed motives of others. Delivered to your inbox! Such a derivation is suspect insofar as later writers could have created the story through an analogy to the way in which the term Stoic came from the Stoa Poikil in which Zeno of Citium taught. Although there was never an official Cynic doctrine, the fundamental principles of Cynicism can be summarized as follows:[10][11][12], Thus a Cynic has no property and rejects all conventional values of money, fame, power and reputation. You wont be surprised to hear, then, that cynical people also earn less than others. WebCynicism (pronounced SIN-niss-ism) is a dark attitude toward the world, especially toward human beings. If Antisthenes was not the first Cynic by name, then the origin of the appellation falls to Diogenes of Sinope, an individual well known for dog-like behavior. Life, as given by nature, is full of hints as to how to live it best; but humans go astray, ashamed by petty things and striving after objects, which are unimportant. To pronounce cynicism, place "[11], In a 1996 paper, J. N. Cappella and K. H. Jamieson claimed that "healthy skepticism may have given way to corrosive cynicism". We can define Cynicism as a practical philosophy that exhibits a permeating and inflexible commitment to saying no to the values, norms, beliefs, practices, traditions, Disengaged: strong negative score on cynicism only. Cynicism (pronounced SIN-niss-ism) is a dark attitude toward the world, especially toward human beings. However, cosmopolitanism can be fully understood within its Cynic context if it is taken as more than an oxymoron or a pithy retort: Asked where he came from, [Diogenes of Sinope] said, I am a citizen of the world [kosmopolits] (Diogenes Laertius, Book 6, Chapter 63). Two competing stories explain the source of the name using the figure of Antisthenes (whom Diogenes Laertius identifies controversially as the original Cynic), and yet a third explanation uses the figure of Diogenes of Sinope. For the classical philosophy, see, The examples and perspective in this section, Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Cynical? The ability to live without any of the commodities usually mistaken for necessities is liberating and beneficial. For modern use of the word for distrust of others' motives, see, Toggle Cynicism and Christianity subsection. The Cynics, then, cast the notion of citizenship in a new light. "[24], Various philosophers, such as the Pythagoreans, had advocated simple living in the centuries preceding the Cynics. Webthe belief that people are only interested in themselves and are not sincere: He's often been accused of cynicism in his attitude towards politics. Legendary examples of the Cynics fearlessly free speech occur in Diogenes of Sinopes interchanges with Alexander the Great. By the 19th century, emphasis on the ascetic ideals and the critique of current civilization based on how it might fall short of an ideal civilization or negativistic aspects of Cynic philosophy led the modern understanding of cynicism to mean a disposition of disbelief in the sincerity or goodness of human motives and actions. As reasoning creatures, people can gain happiness by rigorous training and by living in a way which is natural for themselves, rejecting all conventional desires for wealth, power, and fame, and even flouting conventions openly and derisively in publi [81] Some Cynics were martyred for speaking out against the authorities. Inman, the main character of Cold Mountain, is a cynic who has been nearly destroyed by his experiences in the Civil War. It seems certain, however, that the word dog was also thrown at the first Cynics as an insult for their shameless rejection of conventional manners, and their decision to live on the streets. But it is not terminal. In a drama or other serious story, the emotional tone is generally pretty grim. 2. Instead of watching television after dinner, go for a walk. "Cynical" redirects here. They may not seem like a sumptuous feast to the people around you, but youll find that they nourish you far more than the empty calories of social conformity. [73] A student of the Neoplatonic philosopher Isidore of Alexandria, he devoted himself to living a life of Cynic asceticism. 0 && stateHdr.searchDesk ? In some moments, House comes close to nihilism, but he never completely loses touch with his moral beliefs. All your grief hasnt changed a thing. [40] (The phrase "defacing the currency" later became proverbial in describing Diogenes' rejection of conventional values. [5] The word cynosarges means the "place of the white dog". ), Read: Middle-aged white Americans are dying of despair. cynical beliefs; beliefs that people are generally selfish and dishonest, Palter, Dissemble, and Other Words for Lying, Skunk, Bayou, and Other Words with Native American Origins, Words For Things You Didn't Know Have Names, Vol. [9] It claimed to offer people the possibility of happiness and freedom from suffering in an age of uncertainty. Instead, they were to lead a simple life free from all possessions. See synonyms for cynic on Thesaurus.com. A nihilist might kill others for sport; a cynic would never do that, but wouldnt be too surprised if someone else did. 105, vii. [4] One explanation offered in ancient times for why the Cynics were called "dogs" was because the first Cynic, Antisthenes, taught in the Cynosarges gymnasium at Athens. Want to stay current with Arthur's writing? Cynics could be found begging and preaching throughout the cities of the empire, and similar ascetic and rhetorical ideas appeared in early Christianity. Although this can be offensive if its done recklessly, careful use of dark comedy can be very funny and effective. The ancient cynic, by contrast, is happynot because she thinks the outside world is perfect (it obviously is not) but because she chooses to focus on the integrity of her interior world, over which she has control. The modern cynic is miserable because he is enchained to the outside world, which oppresses him because it is corrupt. noun 1. the attitude or beliefs of a cynic 2. a cynical action, remark, idea, etc Collins English Dictionary. One reads that Diogenes of Sinope would rebuke men in general with regard to their prayers, declaring that they asked for things which seemed to them to be good, not for such as are truly good (Diogenes Laertius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers, Book 6, Chapter 43). He was followed by Diogenes, who lived in a ceramic jar on the streets of Athens. If you want to be a good cynic and a happier person, learn to eat your vegetables. Cynicism here is understood as a form of immanent critique because Diogenes challenges the social norms of the polis without endorsing external universal standards or predetermined models, but from illuminating It is important to note that Diogenes does not say that he is apolis, that is, without a polis; he claims allegiance to the kosmos, or the universe. It is no surprise, then, that when asked what is the most beautiful thing in the world, Diogenes replied, Parrhsia. (Diogenes Laertius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers, Book 6, Chapter 69.). The Cynics clearly privilege freedom, but not merely in a personal sense as a kind of negative liberty. The ancient cynics strove to live by a set of principles characterized by mindfulness, detachment from worldly cravings, the radical equality of all people, and healthy living. [34] Although later classical authors had little doubt about labelling him as the founder of Cynicism,[35] his philosophical views seem to be more complex than the later simplicities of pure Cynicism. The primacy of ethics, the sufficiency of virtue for happiness, the cultivation of indifference to external affairs, the definition of virtue as living in accord with nature, and the importance placed on asksis, all mark the shared terrain between the Cynics and the Stoics. Part of the reason is that theyre realistic, of course: the real world is full of all sorts of cynics, so cynical characters are very believable. Cynicism. Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cynicism. Cynicism (Ancient Greek: ) is a school of thought of ancient Greek philosophy as practiced by the Cynics (Ancient Greek: ; Latin: Cynici). The ontological component is concerned with the contents of reality, asserting that reality has no place for supernatural or other spooky kinds of entity. Each day, forgo a detrimental substance or habit. [4][5], Cynicism can appear more active in depression. a The impact of Cynicism is also felt in Christian, Medieval, and Renaissance thought, though not without a good deal of ambivalence. Reports of medical students experiencing burnout-related symptoms (e.g., cynicism) have increased in recent years. Consequently, their freedom is hindered by convention. The original version will set you free. The term asksis, defined above as a kind of training of the self but which also means exercise or practice, is appropriated from athletic training. [12] Cynicism regarding government or politics can logically lead to political withdrawal and effective political helplessness. The conventional polis is not just rejected but replaced. This required, then, a life of constant training, or asksis. U. S. A. This was a popular criticism of the Christians and it continued on into the 4th century.[87]. Writing in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General in 2020, psychologists found that cynical attitudes lead to being treated disrespectfullypossibly because cynics tend to show disrespect to others, leading to a vicious cycle. Goulet-Caz, Marie-Odile and Richard Goulet, eds. 2023. I dont know what they have to say / It makes no difference anyway.. This discipline promises to strengthen your will and help you adopt routines that improve your happiness. Who wants flowers when youre dead? [59], There is little record of Cynicism in the 2nd or 1st centuries BC; Cicero (c. 50 BC), who was much interested in Greek philosophy, had little to say about Cynicism, except that "it is to be shunned; for it is opposed to modesty, without which there can be neither right nor honor. The Cynics believe that it is through nature that one can live well and not through conventional means such as etiquette or religion. 85, 87; Epictetus. By Frederick Baxter. Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. ( initial capital letter) any of the In that period, 46 people were diagnosed with dementia. The first philosopher to outline these themes was Antisthenes, who had been a pupil of Socrates in the late 400 BC. noun. Cynics are usually masters of dark comedy. in Spanish | in French | in Italian | English synonyms | English Usage | Conjugator | in context | images. In 2013 conservative politician and political theorist William J. Bennett warned that America could "crumble from within; that we would become cynical and withdraw".[13]. "[19], The ideal Cynic would evangelise; as the watchdog of humanity, they thought it was their duty to hound people about the error of their ways. Many of the most compelling characters in literature and life are cynics. In this particular line, hes making fun of the other Guardians even as he decides to join them. But this article is focused on literature rather than philosophy, so well leave that older definition aside. Delivered to your inbox! WebPhilosophy of Cynicism. What you have lost will not be returned to you. When 'thingamajig' and 'thingamabob' just won't do, A simple way to keep them apart. [50], Crates of Thebes (c. 365c. A second possible derivation comes from Antisthenes alleged nickname Haplokun, a word that probably means a dog pure and simple, and is presumably referring to his way of living. The life of an impoverished, but virtuous and self-sufficient philosopher is preferable to the life of a pampered court philosopher. WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of First because of the indifference of their way of life, for they make a cult of indifference and, like dogs, eat and make love in public, go barefoot, and sleep in tubs and at crossroads. Out of the Kennel: The History of Cynical. People sometimes confuse cynicism with nihilism, but in fact theyre quite different. This has important ethical connections to the notion of living in accord with nature, and can likewise be seen as an important precursor to the Stoic understanding of physis, or nature, as identical to the kosmos, or universe. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free! However, the most immediate influence for the Cynic school was Socrates. [28], In the social evolution from the archaic age to the classical, the public ceased carrying weapons into the poleis. [55] Crates' later fame (apart from his unconventional lifestyle) lies in the fact that he became the teacher of Zeno of Citium, the founder of Stoicism. A quiz to (peak/peek/pique) your interest. "Once researchers adjusted for other factors that could affect dementia risk, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking, people with high levels of cynical distrust were three times more likely to develop dementia than people with low levels of cynicism. "[60] However, by the 1st century CE, Cynicism reappeared with full force. While there is no single, universally accepted definition of burnout, experts generally agree that it is a workplace syndrome characterized by three core attributes: 1) You may be hurting your brain health", "Victims, Perpetrators, or Both? Epictetus in particular advocates the Cynic stance, but warns against taking up lightly something so difficult (see Discourses 3.22). Cynics reject sentimentality and superficial expressions of niceness, but they usually have a moral compass and are capable of real emotion (see section 4). The differences between the three is that cynicism is a distrust by prudence; while due to a sense of defeatism, pessimism is the distrust of potential success. Well now Im standing. Happy? [30][31] The staff itself became a message of how the Cynic was free through its possible interpretation as an item of leisure, but, just as equivalent, was its message of strengtha virtue held in abundance by the Cynic philosopher. Moreover, cynical individuals tended to treat others with disrespect, which in turn predicted more disrespectful treatment by others. Usage explanations of natural written and spoken English, British and American pronunciations with audio. Nglish: Translation of cynical for Spanish Speakers, Britannica English: Translation of cynical for Arabic Speakers. First, Antisthenes is said to have taught in the Cynosarges, which is a Greek word that might mean White Dog, Quick Dog, or even Dogs Meat. [43][44][45] Diogenes did however adopt Antisthenes' teachings and the ascetic way of life, pursuing a life of self-sufficiency (autarkeia), austerity (asksis), and shamelessness (anaideia). Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. [ sin-ik ] show ipa. Navia, Luis E. Classical Cynicism: A Critical Study. For the Cynics, the purpose of life is to live in virtue, in agreement with nature. Far from being ashamed of his paltry diet, Diogenes reminded Aristippus, If you had learned to eat these vegetables, you would not have been a slave in the palace of a tyrant., Read: The difference between hope and optimism. "[65] Cynicism in Rome was both the butt of the satirist and the ideal of the thinker. Read: The link between self-reliance and well-being. 2, etc, The Oxford Companion to Classical Literature, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cynicism_(philosophy)&oldid=1159694465, Wikipedia indefinitely move-protected pages, Articles containing Ancient Greek (to 1453)-language text, Articles with unsourced statements from June 2023, Articles with unsourced statements from March 2022, Articles with unsourced statements from May 2019, Articles with Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy links, Articles incorporating a citation from the 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia with Wikisource reference, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 4.0, Arrogance () is caused by false judgments of value, which cause negative, One progresses towards flourishing and clarity through, A Cynic practices shamelessness or impudence () and defaces the, H. C. Baldry, "Zeno's Ideal State". Shamelessness, which allowed Diogenes to use any space for any purpose, was primary in the invention of Diogenes the Dog.. Nevertheless, it accurately tracks a kind of intellectual transmission that begins with Antisthenes and is passed on to Diogenes, Crates, and Zeno. pungent cynicisms. After deserting from the Confederate army, he returns home to reflect and recover, and in one powerful scene he expresses his cynical yet life-affirming philosophy to his wife. Modern cynics also suffer poorer health than others. Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for cynicism, Nglish: Translation of cynicism for Spanish Speakers, Britannica English: Translation of cynicism for Arabic Speakers. [86], During the 2nd century, Crescens the Cynic clashed with Justin Martyr, recorded as claiming the Christians were atheotatous (the most without a god), in reference to their rejection of the pagan gods and their absence of temples, statues, or sacrifices. Cynical people (also called cynics) believe that human beings are And so I could no longer be, Some people regard the governor's visit to the hospital as a, While this was hardly unique to electricity, Republicans and Democrats became increasingly, The era for Season 2 stretches from roughly 1965 to 1979, encompassing a more, Jackmans relatively paltry showing doesnt surprise me, but not for those, Tom Hanks as Jimmy Dugan It's been decades since Tom Hanks stepped up to the plate to play Jimmy Dugan, the, As the lead character (Lloyd Bochner) attempts to decipher one of the aliens' texts, even the most, If these villains had Van Nordens verbal dexterity, their, Gamers are wary of having their experience ruined, and many game developers are afraid of the sort of negative publicity that has resulted from poor or, Post the Definition of cynical to Facebook, Share the Definition of cynical on Twitter, Palter, Dissemble, and Other Words for Lying, Skunk, Bayou, and Other Words with Native American Origins, Words For Things You Didn't Know Have Names, Vol. To save this word, you'll need to log in. [C-] Cynic They practiced shameless nonconform One famous (and perhaps apocryphal) story summarizes the power of this latter way of living. Such behavior only bred cynicism Accessed 28 Jun. Originally it was expected that one carried a sword while in the city. ), Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes., Yeah! Cynical people (also called cynics) believe that human beings are basically motivated by greed and self-interest; they are distrustful of others, usually very negative, and suspicious of sentimentality. The tradition records the tenets of Cynicism via their lives. He constantly makes biting remarks about others, and rarely has anything nice to say about anyone. WebCynicism definition: An attitude of scornful or jaded negativity, especially a general distrust of the integrity or professed motives of others. Webcynicism. Julie Piering Synonyms of cynicism. Webnoun Definition of cynic as in misanthrope a person who distrusts other people and believes that everything is done for selfish reasons a cynic who believes that nobody does a good deed without expecting something in return Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance misanthrope critic pessimist naysayer skeptic doubter misogynist scoffer detractor Click on the arrows to change the translation direction. General national affiliation was likewise esteemed, and Diogenes cosmopolitan response is therefore also a rejection of the limitations of such a view. those cynical men who say that democracy cannot be honest and efficient. [16] The Cynics adopted Heracles as their hero, as epitomizing the ideal Cynic. 2023. For example, in Lives of Emminent Philosophers, one finds the following anecdote: Observing a fool tuning a harp, Are you not ashamed, he said, to give this wood concordant sounds, while you fail to harmonize your soul with your life? To one who protested I am unfit to study philosophy, Diogenes said, Why then live, if you do not care to live well? (Diogenes Laertius, Book 6, Chapter 65; R.D. "[70], Unlike Stoicism, which declined as an independent philosophy after the 2nd century CE, Cynicism seems to have thrived into the 4th century. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free! University of Arkansas at Little Rock There are still flashes of the old cynicism on "Don't Let the Devil," he raps, "Tell the deacon we ain't speakin', need money, his prayers worthless" but for the first time in not trusting or respecting the goodness of other people and their actions, but believing that people are interested only in themselves: Listening to politicians for too Relying on the worldespecially on getting approval from the worldmakes equanimity and true freedom impossible. He experiences intense physical pain from his leg as well as emotional pain stemming from his divorce and loneliness. Were all standing now. Delivered to your inbox! Here Nietzsche alludes to the anecdote wherein Diogenes searches for a human being with a lit lamp in daylight (D.L. Whether cynicism is more warranted now than ever is yours to decide. Such behaviour only bred cynicism WebBritannica Dictionary definition of CYNICISM. Nature replaces convention as the standard for judgment. Whereas a modern cynic might say, for instance, that the president is an idiot and thus his policies arent worth considering, the ancient cynic would examine each policy impartially. Since 1964, the percentage of Americans who say they trust the government to do what is right just about always or most of the time has fallen 53 points, from 77 to 24 percent. (Note: if the person actually did steal someone elses shoes and run off with them, it would start too look more like nihilism than cynicism see section 6.). Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. According to a study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General in 2020, "everyday experiences of disrespect elevated cynical beliefs and vice versa. (Although both of these studies involved only men, nothing suggests that the results are gender-specific.

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