If someone explained the movement (figurative, not literal)
of the Cynics to me outside of its historical context, I might easily assume it
to have been founded in the 21st century. Why so? Well, in this day
and age of speed, deadlines, internet, consumerism, political extremes, world
news, constant noise, population density, and cutting-edge technologies, we
often consider ourselves to be the most overwhelmed generation yet. Never
before, one would think, would anyone have better reason to disassociate themselves
from modern life and its complications; and some do. However, the original Cynics
claimed this philosophy in what we would consider simpler times. In fact, when
I wish I could shed the troubles of this fast-paced world, I think I would be
pleased to live like your average ancient Greek for a day or two; but the ancient
Greeks who decided to follow the teachings of Cynicism must have felt
otherwise. I wonder what their
individual conversion stories might be? What specific events in their lives
drove them over the edge and towards a philosophy which literally derives its
name from the animals its proponents choose to emulate?
Perhaps
stress is relative. No matter the circumstances, the daily demands of life can
be enough to leave a person dissatisfied, and send them on a quest for
increased simplicity. For some, this quest ends with putting away the cell
phone for a day, breaking from social media, asking for an extra day off next
week, or a bookshelf full of half-read self-help books about achieving simplicity.
As for Diogenes, his immediate followers, and many others, however, the quest
proceeds to more extreme ends.
H3
ReplyDeleteStress inflicts such a large amount of damage on the human psyche and physical body, is it really possible that stress could be relative?
I don't know, read my above post and find out. ;)
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