Since the beginning of time there
has always been the constant battle between the concepts of love and hate. The
world is no stranger to love and every beautiful thing that is said to coincide
with love. But why is there no such interest in the concept of hate? These
feelings of love and hate, are not abnormal feelings but the way we were created.
Having the ability to feel is something that has become somewhat irrefutable. Hate
or hatred by definition is to dislike intensely or passionately. It has been
proven for thousands of years that the idea of hate has been acted on and has
even been chosen as a way of life.
Diogenes of Sinope, also known as “Diogenes
the Dog” or “Diogenes the Cynic,” has been documented as being one of the most
hateful philosophers. As he is a cynic, he believes in a life of complete and
utter selfishness and greed. There have
been many who have written stories on the life of Diogenes, and he was described
as extremely unconventional and self centered. As the people have judged the
way he lived his life, he has surely judged back and said their lives were perhaps
too “conventional.” It was often said that he was extremely scornful and
inconsiderate, but it begs the question as to why this is such a wrong way to
live. Not all in modern times choose to live such a hateful lifestyle, but the
hatred that is present in the world today is evident and publicized. It becomes
shameful when there is even hatred towards another human shown through people
of such high power in todays society. The President of the United States, for
example, has proven to be one of the most hateful and heinous people to ever
take office. President Trump has gone as far as slandering the names of
Hollywood actors and actresses to attacking an entire race of people.
The philosophy of hate, also referred to as the
painful truth is something that is completely unavoidable. We will always “hate”
someone, whether it be for the color of their skin, the religion they choose to
practice, the amount of wealth they have, anything. It is as if it is in our
biology that hating another human being for whatever reason, is acceptable. As
proven above, it does not matter the age or ranking of a person, they can still
be as hateful and cruel as anyone else. The question is, why? Both of these
concepts of love and hate all boil down to it being two sides. The world is not
painted in black and white, there is not a love side and a hate side. The world
we live in, as unstable and dangerous as it might be, is the home we have. This
beautiful place, was designed and created to be a place that inspires love and
gives birth to it. Instead, we now know a world of war, hunger, homelessness,
abuse, in one word…hate.
In my next installment, I will
dissect more of the life of Diogenes and his cynical living and connect it to
modern day “Diogenes like” people.
*disclaimer*- The views posted above are my own and are not meant to offend anyone.
http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/entertainment/people/donald-trump-quotes-57213
Can you document Diogenes' alleged hatefulness?
ReplyDeleteAnd can you explain why you say hate "is completely unavoidable"? I wouldn't claim to be free of animosities and aversions, but I really try (with greater or less success) not to be hateful towards other people, and I've known people who seemed almost entirely free of hate. In any event, I don't know why we should excuse ourselves from trying to overcome it. Of course, it's not wrong to hate injustice, cruelty, etc., or to hate the fact that some individuals are perpetrators thereof. Is it?