A short history of cynicism, from the fearless speech of the ancient Greeks to the jaded negativity of the present.
Finally, he considers the possibility of a radical Cynicism that admits and affirms the danger it poses to contemporary society..
He chronicles the subsequent purification of Cynicism by the Stoics
Renaissance and Enlightenment appropriations of Cynicism, drawing on the writings of Shakespeare, Rabelais, Rousseau, de Sade, and others; and the transition from Cynicism (the philosophy) to Cynicism (the modern attitude), exploring contemporary Cynicism from the perspectives of its leftist, liberal, and conservative critics.
Allen describes ancient Cynicism as an improvised philosophy and a way of life disposed to scandalize contemporaries, subjecting their cultural commitments to derision.
In this volume of the MIT Press Essential Knowledge series, Ansgar Allen charts the long history of cynicism, from the fearless speech of Greek Cynics in the fourth century BCE to the contemporary cynic\'s lack of social and political convictions.
Bold and shameless, it was committed to transforming the values on which civilization depends.
This Cynicism was a marginal philosophy practiced by a small band of eccentrics.
The Cynicism of the ancient Greeks, however, was very different.
Narrowly opportunistic, always on the take, contemporary Cynicism has nothing positive to contribute.
Today\'s cynics excuse themselves half-heartedly--I hate to be a cynic, but...--before making their pronouncements.
Everyone\'s a cynic, yet few will admit it.
A short history of cynicism, from the fearless speech of the ancient Greeks to the jaded negativity of the present
