Antisthenes (c. 445–c. 365 BCE) was an ancient Greek philosopher and a pioneering Figure in the Development of Cynicism. A pupil of Socrates, Antisthenes emphasized simple living and virtue over material Wealth and societal conventions. His works, largely lost to History, profoundly influenced later Cynic philosophers like Diogenes of Sinope. Antisthenes' advocacy for Asceticism and disdain for luxury laid foundational principles for the Cynic school, impacting philosophical perspectives on Ethics and lifestyle.
Anecdotes
- He was once a student of Gorgias, the famous sophist, before rejecting Sophistry in favor of a simpler, more ascetic lifestyle.
- He famously carried a stick to fend off the flattery of his followers, showing a disdain for praise and admiration.
- Once wore rags and lived in Poverty to embody his teachings on virtue and Self-sufficiency, surprising those who valued wealth.
Magnitudes
- Challenge conventions to discover your authentic path.
- Embrace simplicity to uncover profound truths.
- Question conventions relentlessly.
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