Diogenes of Sinope, Ancient Greek Philosopher
Diogenes after Gian Giacomo Caraglio, 16th century. Diogenes of Sinope (412 BC - 323 BC) was a Greek philosopher and one of the founders of Cynic philosophy. For the Cynics, the purpose of life was to live in virtue, in agreement with nature. As reasoning creatures, people could gain happiness by rigorous training and by living in a way which was natural for humans, rejecting all conventional desires for wealth, power, sex, and fame. Instead, they were to lead a simple life free from all possessions. He made a virtue of poverty. He begged for a living and slept in a large ceramic jar in the marketplace. He became notorious for his philosophical stunts such as carrying a lamp in the daytime, claiming to be looking for an honest man. He embarrassed Plato, disputed his interpretation of Socrates and sabotaged his lectures. Diogenes was also responsible for publicly mocking Alexander the Great. After being captured by pirates and sold into slavery, Diogenes settled in Corinth where he died in 323 BC at the age of 81.
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