Stoa Conversations: Stoicism Applied The Laughing Cynic Who Taught Stoicism's Founder (Episode 185)
May 27, 2025
Explore the life of Crates, the philosopher who influenced Zeno to found Stoicism by embracing a joyfully minimal lifestyle. Discover how Crates sold his inheritance and challenged social hierarchies with a wallet and a tattered cloak. The conversation touches on the risks of flattery and the importance of accepting imperfections. Joy, humor, and humility in philosophy shine as we look at radical living and its educational benefits, revealing how Cynicism can enrich Stoic practice.
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Crates' Radical Wealth Rejection
- Crates, a wealthy citizen, sold his inheritance and distributed the money to others to live a life of cynic minimalism.
- He chose voluntary poverty to pursue philosophy, rejecting material wealth actively.
Cynic vs Stoic Wealth Attitude
- Cynics proactively reject material wealth while Stoics endure loss reactively, valuing possessions but being indifferent to them.
- This distinction shows cynicism as a more radical approach to philosophy than Stoicism.
Status and Roles Viewed Differently
- Cynics reject social status and conventions completely, while Stoics accept them as generally useful guides.
- Stoics acknowledge roles but strive to treat everyone with reason and kinship, balancing convention with equality.
