2. CYNICISM
The early Cynics practiced frugal and even miserable living
such an extent that they were likened to animals in their mode
of life. In fact, the word “cynic” comes from the Greek word
“kunos” which means “dog-like”.
Cynisism can be regarded as prescribing behavior for those
whose lives became intolerable due to the collapse of the
world about them or for reasons of personal despair.
Cynics believed that the world was fundamentally evil. In order
to live properly a man must withdraw from participation in it.
Cynics advocated a rejection of the goods of the world, and in
this way tried to show men that by ignoring such externals they
would be emancipated from fear.
3. Cynicism is primarily a doctrine which is anti-social. Not only
is Cynicism anti-social, but it is also one of the forerunners of
asceticim.
Cynicism as a philosophy influence upon plain men, but it
was a considerable factor in the development of early
Christian philosophy.
The general effect of Cynicism is other-world-liness, and this
is why it has played so great a role in influencing the way of
life advocated by pietistic religions such as Christianity.
4. STOICISM
The founder of Stoicism was named Zeno. Zeno is supposed
to have lectured in the third century B.C from a porch, and
Stoicism gets its name from this fact, since “stoa” is the
Greek word meaning “porch”.
Stoics believed that good or evil depends upon oneself.
Stoicism differs from Cynicism in a fundamental respect.
The Cynicism felt that they were powerless to prevent the
collapse of the world in which they lived and hence they
renounced it. But the Stoics argued that this sort of
renunciation was unnecessary.
5. The main effect of Stoicism was to place the responsibility
for becoming a good or bad man recently upon the
individual himself, rather that upon the society. If an
individual can cultivate a frame of mind which makes him
indifferent to the usual goods of the world, then he will be
virtuous and nothing that happens to him can alter his
essential character.
6. Criticism of Stoicism
There are three major difficulties in Stoicism:
A logical difficulty involving the notions of freedom and
predestination
The difficulty that the doctrine of indifference has
consequences which seem paradoxial to common
sense
The difficulty that the Stoicism appeals to men only in
unusual circumtances, and hence cannot be accepted
as a universal ethic
