Cynicism as a behavior is becoming a mass manifestation of the decline of spiritual values, with which modern society is increasingly becoming infected. In order to answer the question, cynicism - what is it in simple words, it is not enough to give a definition. This phenomenon is too multifaceted. Possessing destructive properties, this phenomenon is fraught with danger not only for the whole society, but primarily for those who take it as a basis for coordinating their actions. The danger of cynicism, examples of its manifestation must be considered in more detail.
White dog
A brief excursion into history should be made and transferred back to about the 5th century BC, to Ancient Greece, which at that time had many philosophical schools and movements. A school of cynics, or cynics, stood out against the general background, as the ancient Romans later renamed them.
Cynics could easily be recognized by the manner of dressing: they wore an unpresentable cloak directly on their naked body. Mandatory attribute were the staff and beggarly bag. The meaning of the word “cynicism” originates from the founder of this trend in philosophy - Antisthenes, who conducted his speeches at the Kinosarga gymnasium. If you translate this name from the Greek language, you get a "white dog". It gradually and was fixed to all followers of the ancient Greek philosopher - cynics.
However, they were not offended, because their teacher called himself a dog.
Diogenes of Sinope
One of the most striking and consistent adherents of this teaching, which is increasingly gaining certain popularity among the ancient Greek "golden youth", is considered by Diogenes Sinopsky. This character aroused genuine admiration even among Alexander the Great. Diogenes was even too devoted to his teacher’s ideas about life according to the natural laws of nature.
Judging by his lifestyle, cynicism is a complete disregard for the moral and ethical standards imposed by society. For this reason, Diogenes of Sinop did not limit himself to anything, he did not give a damn about the opinions of those around him. He could relieve the need in front of everyone, drank water from a puddle and did many other abominations, fully becoming like an animal.
Was he happy? Judging by historical sources that have reached our time, Diogenes clearly did not enjoy the serenity of his own being. Mentioned his walking through the streets with a lantern in the daytime; the look was preoccupied, businesslike - he was looking for something or someone. To all the questions Diogenes replied: "I am looking for a man."
Whether his searches were the result of the work of a sick imagination or another extravagant trick to draw the attention of a loved one is difficult to judge.
Cinema Ideas
From the very beginning of its inception, this philosophical teaching was filled with various contradictions. The meaning of cynicism in its original sense is the liberation from all conventions, norms of behavior accepted in society. The achievement of such goals is possible only with a kind of self-isolation, alienation from society, all its institutions. In this quest, cynics tried to become outcasts not only for the state, but also for their own family.
On the other hand, they imposed certain restrictions on themselves, simplifying their life as much as possible, reducing their own needs. Thus, cynics sought natural naturalness.
Shielding oneself from evil
It is generally accepted that in the highest manifestation, cynicism is the achievement of one's own goals, certain tasks, without stopping at anything. Such an understanding of things when explaining this phenomenon is formed in modern society.
However, for those who stood at the origins of this philosophical worldview, cynicism is a barrier of oneself from evil, which was considered not only all the achievements of human civilization, but also vices (greed, malice, pride, meanness and many others, which, according to Cynics, made representatives of the genus Homo sapiens people).
In their spiritual development, they sought to merge with the natural natural principle, because all the evil that a person is capable of committing is alien to animals. For example, to kill not for food, but in the name of some ephemeral idea.
The whole history of wars, various conflicts of mankind convincingly proves that they begin because of the desire to possess certain resources. The necessary platform for attracting more people to the warring parties is always ideology (“liberation of the Holy Sepulcher” in the Crusades, promoting “democratic values” or fanning a revolutionary fire to “liberate all oppressed working people from world capitalism”). There is always a good reason for war.
Fidelity and gratitude for cynics
The highest virtue for the followers of Antisthenes was not only the desire for simplicity, contempt, rejection of all human weaknesses. The concept of gratitude was important to them. This is just the feeling that a person should experience in relation to Nature, which generously endows all life around.
Another virtue was devotion. You need to understand that this is loyalty to yourself, your beliefs. The neglect of ethics and the norms of behavior of such individuals stemmed from a great desire to demonstrate to everyone around them the absurdity, the inappropriateness of any attitudes that drive a person into a certain framework.
In modern society, cynicism is pretense. A person who does not share the rules, norms, attitudes, ideologies, accepted as the only correct models of behavior in the society around him, simply pretends to be convenient. Because for him it is beneficial. The highest priority is to achieve your own significant goals.
The protective function of the body
According to modern psychologists, cynicism does not arise out of nowhere. Early manifestations are recorded in adolescence. There are several reasons for this. One of them is incorrect incorrect education, which is allowed in relation to the child.
Vivid examples are excessive moralizing, demagogy, and deceit. Interaction using humiliation, insulting feelings of personality, beatings. However, cultivating in a teenager a sense of self-worth and superiority over other people will also lead to cynicism.
It is customary to consider this model of behavior as a defensive reaction of the psyche caused by various feelings, such as mental pain, dissatisfaction with oneself. Experiencing a personality crisis, an individual, not knowing how to cope with such a situation correctly, simply withdraws from all the feelings that cause him pain. This is an interesting opinion, but it does not reflect the fullness of the picture. Cynicism can be caused by the complete confidence of the individual in his own invulnerability, impunity.
Professional cynicism
This is a more complex model, designed ultimately to create. Here you can recall doctors, crisis managers, military and many other professions where emotions can only interfere with work. Such mistakes can cost not only entire sectors of the economy, but also lead to the loss of human lives.
This condition is accumulated by experience and largely depends on the characteristics of the psyche. Many soldiers know how to shoot well, but only a few are able to complete the task of a sniper, while maintaining a normal state of mind. A surgeon crying from an excess of overwhelming feelings is a frightening and unimaginable sight.
No one, except the professionals themselves, knows what difficulties it costs them to cope with all this psychological pressure. This is exactly the case when cynicism is placed at the service of competence and worthy performance of duties, but the price is “burnout syndrome”.
Synonyms of cynicism
As can be seen from various examples, such a worldview is not only a manifestation of a nihilistic attitude towards all the norms and established traditions of society. This is not only rudeness, rudeness, arrogance, impudence, licentiousness, bestiality, bad manners and complete swagger in behavior. Cynicism is also a protective reaction of the psyche that allows a person not only to cope with a difficult psychological situation, but even to use it in their professional activities.
Conclusion
The true cynic is sophisticated in the ups and downs of life. Understanding the weaknesses of human nature can make him a detached observer. Hence, in his behavior, indulgent indifference can be traced, which is extremely difficult to shake. The word "cynicism" in the public mind has a negative meaning. The extreme form of such behavior is absolutely uncontrolled cruelty, and the tacit consent of the indifferent is the support of terrible crimes on Earth.