Diógenes, O Cínico

by Luis E. Navia

Pode-se dizer que todo século precisa também de coragem para tolerar a figura de Diógenes e, assim, submeter-se a um exame de consciência e a uma reavaliação de sua moeda moral, já que a presença de um cínico genuíno em meio a nós pode servir como um ajustador útil contra nossa confusão e nossa inércia. É por esse motivo que, em repetidas ocasiões, o espírito de Diógenes tem sido evocado de volta do túmulo ou, para lembrar o epigrama de Cércidas: "de sua morada celestial". Se nada mais parece funcionar, a presença de um cão ladrando e mordendo pode ser útil. Ele pode pelo menos nos manter despertos e espertos para a pista correta. O retorno de Foucault a Diógenes manifesta a necessidade dos que por si atingiram certo grau de lucidez intelectual, que têm fome de honestidade existencial a ponto de ressuscitarem o homem que insistia em chamar as coisas por seu nome correto e que praticou de modo tão inabalável a arte de dizer tudo, a qual recebeu o nome de TTappnóia (parrhesía), um conceito fundamental para o cinismo.'

Genres: Philosophy, Biography, Nonfiction, History

312 pages, Paperback

First published July 30, 2005

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Repetitive and with an air of a grumpy old man who wanders off in into rants about 'kids these days'. You could probably read the wiki article about Diogenes and get 99% of the info there and skip out a lot of the chaff.

[Gokul Nath]

Good

[Victor Ferreira · Rating 5 out of 5]

mudou minha vida

[Tami · Rating 4 out of 5]

The life and the legacy are both wrapped in mystery and controversy. Nothing of Diogenes' philosophical works has survived through to modern day from his life in the fifth century BCE. Yet, other Greek figures and philosophers are filled with stories and fables about the man who called himself a dog. Unfortunately, these accounts tend to vary substantially on the events of Diogenes' life as well as their opinion on whether Diogenes was a great philosopher or whether he was just completely insane.

Diogenes the Cynic explores all the material and theories about Diogenes. This book looks at what we can truly ascertain about the man's life, examines Diogenes metamorphism into a dog, and details the foundations and philosophy of Cynicism in an attempt to understand both who Diogenes was, what he stood for, and what contributions, if any, the man had on future philosophers.

Diogenes the Cynic is complete enough to be used as a text about Diogenes and Cynicism. The book even includes copies of many of the accounts about this man in the appendix and detailed bibliographies for those wanting to delve deeper into the subject. At the same time though, that this book is so complete, that the reader need not have prior knowledge of the subject matter.

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy the excessive interpretation put on top of Diogenes. The uncertainty is unavoidable given how little we know, but I would have preferred a greater focus on the actions and sayings of Diogenes even if it had been a shorter book.

[monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read in Portuguese(br) translation by Editora Odisseus.

It's a very academic book i.e. things are explained in great detail and not much certainty is given about anything. I enjoyed how thorough was the book and the fact that its appendix includes Diogenes Laertius take on Diogenes of Sinope.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

ILL from the library

from the computer:
TOC
A biographical portrait -- The rhetoric of cynicism -- Diogenes's metamorphosis -- The philosophy of cynicism -- The presence of Diogenes -- Diogenes Laertius : the life of Diogenes of Sinope

[Craig Bolton]

Diogenes The Cynic: The War Against The World by Luis E. Navia (2005)

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

A MUST if you are interested on cynicism.

[Artur · Rating 4 out of 5]

read this to write an essay but i ended up finishing it hehe