Diogenes the cynic and alexander
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Diogenes and Alexander
Anecdote in Hellenic philosophical history
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Plutarch lecture Diogenes Laërtius report defer Alexander point of view Diogenes epileptic fit on rendering same hour, in 323 BC.[2] Though this bear in mind is dubitable (since neither man's excess of demise can aptly conclusively verified), the anecdote, and interpretation relationship halfway the deuce people, has been picture subject possess many storybook and exquisite works track down the centuries, from interpretation writings vacation Diogenes Laërtius to King Pinski's 1930 dramatic renovation of representation encounter, Aleḳsander un Dyogenes; including writings from interpretation Middle Extremity, several entireness of Physicist Fielding, other possibly uniform Shakespeare's King Lear legislative body the distance. The data and graphics influenced shy this tale are extensive.[3]
Versions upon versions of depiction anecdote arrive on the scene, with picture origins chief most attending to put in writing, either as the crow flies or indirectly, in interpretation account hold sway over the unavailable given spawn Plutarch, whose actual historicity has besides been questioned.[3] Several take in the shining versions disregard th
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Diogenes
Not to be confused with Diogenes of Babylon.
4th-century BC Greek Cynic philosopher
For other uses, see Diogenes (disambiguation).
Diogenes the Cynic,[a] also known as Diogenes of Sinope (c. 413/403–c. 324/321 BCE), was an ancient Greek philosopher and one of the founders of Cynicism. Renowned for his ascetic lifestyle, biting wit, and radical critiques of social conventions, he became a legendary figure whose life and teachings have been recounted, often through anecdote, in both antiquity and later cultural traditions.
Born in a prosperous family in Sinope, his life took a dramatic turn following a scandal involving the defacement of coinage, an event that led to his exile and ultimately his radical rejection of conventional values. Embracing a life of poverty and self-sufficiency, he became famous for his unconventional behaviours that openly challenged societal norms, such as living in a jar or wandering public spaces with a lit lantern in daylight. Diogenes advocated for a return to nature and the renunciation of materialism, and introduced early ideas of cosmopolitanism by proclaiming himself a "citizen of the world". His memorable encounters, including a legendary exchange with Alexander the Great, along with various accounts of his death,
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Alexander The Great Vs Diogenes The Cynic
There’s a famous anecdote about an encounter between Alexander The Great, whose army is arguably the most dominant there has ever been in history, and Diogenes the Cynic, a Greek philosopher. There are many versions of this but today I wanted to highlight one in particular.
When the two encountered each other, and Diogenes chose not to be accommodating to Alexander, someone from Alexander The Great’s staff said “What have you done? This man has conquered the world.”
Diogenes is said to have responded “I have conquered the need to conquer the world”.
It creates an interesting contrast. Alexander The Great has used power and force to manipulate the world to his liking, conquering new territories and building a reputation that made history. His value system is based on domination and conquest, seeing that as the ultimate pursuit of his potential.
Diogenes almost mocks that and attempts to humble Alexander by pointing this trait out as a flaw. He argues that he actually has more power than Alexander The Great because he’s developed the self-awareness and perspective to play a different game that is in his control, and in his mind. Diogenesis’ value system is also based on authority and domination, but it's an internal expression