犬儒主义(英文版)

What’s CynicismCynicism, refers to the beliefs of an ancient school of Greek philosophers known as the Cynics.Their philosophy was that the purpose of life was to live a life of Virtue in agreement with Nature. This meant rejecting all conventional desires for wealth, power, health, and fame, and by living a simple life free from all possessions.People could gain happiness by1.rigorous(严苛的) training2.living in a way which was natural for humans.Suffering was caused by1.false judgments of what was valuable2.the worthless customs and conventions which surrounded society.Many of these thoughts were later absorbed into Stoicism(禁欲主义)3 main cynicsAntisthenesAn older contemporary of Plato1. A disciple(门徒，弟子) of Socrates1.He preached a life of povertyDiogenes of Sinope1.The disciple of Antisthenes (?)1.He embraced the ascetic(禁欲的) way of life1.lifestyle:self-sufficiency ,austerity(苦行), and shamelessnessAsceticism：sleeping in a tubShameless behaviour: eating raw meatBiting satire: "bad people obey their lusts as servants obey their masters"Crates of Thebes others1.The third figure who dominates Cynic history.He is said to have been a pupil of Diogenes (?)2 origins of the Cynic1.In ancient times, the first Cynic Antisthenes, taught in the Cynosarges gymnasium（古希腊运动场）at Athens.2.Cynosarges means the place of the white dog3.Dog was thrown at the Cynics as an insult for their rejection of conventional manners.4.Diogenes, states "other dogs bite their enemies, I bite my friends to save them."4 reasons for why the Cynics are so named1 The indifference of their way of life, like dogs, eat and go barefoot in public.2The dog is a shameless animal, and they make a cult(膜拜，崇拜) of shamelessness3The dog is a good guard, and they guard the tenets（宗旨，原则）of their philosophy4The dog is a discriminating animal which can distinguish between its friends and enemiesFundamental principles1The goal of life is happiness which is to live in agreement with Nature2Happiness depends on being self-sufficient, and a master of mental attitude3Self-sufficiency is achieved by living a life of virtue4The road to virtue is to free oneself fromany influence like wealth, fame, or power5Suffering is caused by false judgments of valueCynicism in the Roman WorldThere is little record of Cynicism in the 2nd or 1st centuries BCE（公元前）By the 1st century CE, Cynicism reappeared with full force.The rise of Imperial Rome may have led to a sense of powerlessness and frustration among many people, which allowed a philosophy which emphasized self-sufficiency and inner-happiness to flourish once again.Cynicism and ChristianitySome scholars have argued that the Q document，the hypothetical(假设的) common source for the gospels（福音）of Matthew（马太）and Luke（路可），has strong similarities with the teachings of the Cynics.Other scholars doubt that Jesus was deeply influenced by the Cynics, and see the Jewish prophetic(预言的) tradition as of much greater importance1.Many of the ascetic (苦行的)practices of Cynicism may have been adopted byearly Christians.1.The ascetic orders of Christianity also had direct connection with the Cynics,and in many of their practices were little different from the Cynics of an earlier agecontemporaryBy the 19th century, emphasis on the negative aspects of Cynic philosophy led to the modern understanding of cynicism to mean——An attitude of scornful negativity, especially a general distrust of the sincerity or goodness of human motives and actionsIt can manifest itself as a result of frustration, disillusionment, and distrust perceived as due to organizations, authorities and other aspects of societySocial Effects of CynicismThe cynicism of Diogenes☐artificial growths of society were incompatible with happiness☐morality implies a return to the simplicity of nature☐"Humans have complicated every simple gift of the gods.“☐"cosmopolitan”☐Scorned family; political social organization; property rights; reputation.The ideal Cynic would evangelise:hound people about the error of their ways (watchdog of humanity)expose the pretensions which lay at the root of everyday conventionsPositive effectsTraditional cynicism is a worthy and even noble world-view -- up to a point.●rare opportunity to live in harmony with your values●freedom from self-deception●immunity against faddish "groupthink"●development of an independent, contrarian mind and spirit●introspect the pursuit of fame and fortuneNegative effects•First, cynicism points to the unintended consequences of actions and derides our belief in our ability to rationally assess those consequences or plan for them.•Second, it attacks the stability of institutions•Third, it recasts valued political conceptsEnsemble effect•Different types of cynicism that interact in an "ensemble effect," composed of master-cynic, insiders, and powerless public.•master-cynic•Insiders•powerless publicModern attitude•First，see it critically•Second，make full use of Positive Cynicism: keep our integrity without being miserable•Reject what you can tolerate，Reward yourself by loving something with a passion.1.the fundamental principles of Cynicism● 1.The goal of life is happiness which is to live in agreement with Nature.● 2.Happiness depends on being self-sufficient, and a master of mental attitude.● 3.The road to virtue is to free oneself from any influence such as wealth, fame, or power,which have no value in Nature.2. History of Cynicism1. Origin of the Cynic name---doggishness•from Ancient Greek κυνικός(kynikos), meaning "dog-like•the first Cynic, Antisthenes, taught in the Cynosarges gymnasium at Athens. The word Cynosarges means the place of the white dog。