[atreestump]

Diogenes was a Greek philosopher and was viewed at the time as the ‘true descendant of Socrates’ from those who objected to Plato and his theory of forms. Diogenes is the father of Cynicism. He famously lived in a large ceramic jar and advocated simple ways of living, or asceticism, in order to purify himself of the constraints of the material world, which Socrates himself was also of this mind set. He once saw a poverty stricken young man eating out of his own hands and Diogenes smashed his own eating bowl and began to do the same. His most famous and comical interaction was with Alexander the Great who was in awe of the great Diogenes and Diogenes asked him to get out his way as he was blocking the sun.

This interaction was a play on Plato’s cave and simile of the sun, which prescribes a social order where the strong and mighty kings or rulers are closest to the sun and the light of wisdom, but Diogenes is clearly the superior mind here and all the ruler is doing, is getting in the way. Diogenes also said to Alexander that he cannot distinguish the bones of Alexander’s father, Philip II, from those of a slave. Diogenes was a man of humility.

He is also recorded in texts to have walked through a market place in the day time with a lit lantern seeking for a honest man, which again is a stab at Plato’s cave and simile of the sun, Diogenes cynical view of humanity plays out in comedy and satire.

[schi]

Interesting. I admire his humility and is something that I try to implement into my life.
Although, not related do you think true humility is possible? Furthering that, what I mean is, do you think that we can be altruistic without any selfish motives; as he smashed his bowl to remove the barrier of privilege – although this could be very genuine and an attempt to live humbly, is something like that really possible.

[atreestump]

do you think true humility is possible? Furthering that, what I mean is, do you think that we can be altruistic without any selfish motives

I think it all hangs in a balance. I don’t think we can separate selfish from altruistic and I don’t necessarily see all selfishness as inherently bad.

[schi]

@”Ontical” Nor do I. It’s just when confronted with true motivations behind your actions it gets you thinking, “am I what I believe I am”. But yes I do not think selfishness as being all bad, as self serving motivations could be more other centered than the source. 

Would love to walk without possessions in this life.

[atreestump]

To me, life is all about letting go. @”thetrizzard” put it well in a discussion a while ago: ‘coming to terms with termination’.

[schi]

Habits and contradictions. I dare myself to walk naked ‘come to terms with termination’. I think every ‘intellect’ has come to the terms of death, but walking a life full of humility is an even greater task. 

It’s odd though, some days you are fine with thought of leaving worldly bound worries – then others you are awoken during the night with the sweats of death afraid of waking at 40 unfulfilled. It’s fine now when I am 21 and have no real regrets, but I am not sure about that mid life crisis period – I guess I will find out.. hopefully naked haha.

As kendrick said himself, ‘age dont exist when you have a high tolerance’. > I don’t know, an extract that I thought was fitting.

[atreestump]

It’s odd though, some days you are fine with thought of leaving worldly bound worries – then others you are awoken during the night with the sweats of death afraid of waking at 40 unfulfilled.

[schi]

It’s odd though, some days you are fine with thought of leaving worldly bound worries – then others you are awoken during the night with the sweats of death afraid of waking at 40 unfulfilled.

I will be back tomorrow with a piece in regards to this conversation!

[atreestump]

Good to see more active members today, it took nearly six months, but we are getting there! See you tomorrow.

[Author]

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