Unpacking Cynicism: Philosophy in Practice

In this episode, Jerry and Stably discuss The Cynic Philosophers: From Diogenes to Julian, edited by Robert Dobbin. The conversation centers on the core tenets of Cynicism, such as radical self-sufficiency, rejection of societal norms, and public acts meant to provoke reflection. The hosts explore how cynics challenged conventions through deliberately outrageous behavior, like Diogenes’ public defecation or spitting on opulence, aiming to expose hypocrisy and dependency. They contrast Cynicism with Epicureanism and Stoicism, debating whether these philosophies share a common telos and whether Cynicism’s austerity is a viable path to virtue. The episode ends with a preview of their next book: Why Nothing Works by Mark Dunkelman.