Cosmic Philosophy - Section 13

Cosmic Philosophy/ Cosmopolitanism is the ideology that you belong to the universe; that we all aren't just inhabitants of the state we were born in, but more than that. Everyone belongs to the universe. We are one with nature, in a sense. The idea of cosmopolitanism was first legitimately introduced by the Socratically- encouraged Cynic Diogenes. He claimed to be a “citizen of the world”, rather than a citizen of the city he resided in. Despite his beliefs being controversial in his community, Diogenes held true to his ideas. Because of this, cosmic philosophy would evolve.


Every cosmopolitan argues for some community among all human beings, regardless of social and political affiliation. There are four main cosmopolitan groups that I will be going over. Strict, moderate, political, and cultural cosmopolitans. Strict applies to provide aid neither gets weighed against any extra means. Moderate applies to the scope of duty to provide aid, but insist that we also have special duties to compatriots. Cultural disputes disputes over multiculturalism in educational curricula and with resurgent nationalisms, cultural claims and counter-claims have received much attention. Finally, political is institutions that are limited in scope and focus on particular concerns.


There are plenty of arguments on the side of the cosmopolitans as well as on the side of the anti-cosmopolitans. Neither side can be considered right or wrong, each is just trying to create a more perfect union while maintaining the peace across the world in the best way each side knows how. Though our federation can never truly be perfect, cosmopolitans believe the more unified and equal we become across nations the better off we would be. On the opposite side of that, anti-cosmopolitans believe it would be impossible to ever get all nations to become unified into one government due to our nature between states running too deep.

Quiz Questions:

1. What exactly would a cosmopolitan consider “home”?
1. The world and the universe
2. Who gave cosmic philosophy its name?
1. Max Theon 
3. What is the motto of World-State?
1. “Community, Identity, Stability
4. Who was a “strict” cosmopolitan?
1. Peter Singer

Discussion Questions:

• Do you think it would be possible to create a global environment where everyone essentially believes that we all belong to the same place, despite differences?
• In an instance where you are the cosmopolitan, would you be a strict, moderate, political, or cultural cosmopolitan?

Jessi Emens, Kaelie Martin-Mahler, Reagan Canon