DIOGENES - THE SEARCH

<BODY> <CENTER><FONT SIZE=5><B><FONT SIZE=6>DIOGENES</FONT><BR> THE CYNIC</B></FONT></CENTER><P> <FONT SIZE=4><B>Search for Truth</B></FONT><P> He has been described as a <A HREF="../03/03f01.html" TARGET="_top">Socrates</A> gone mad and in many ways the analogy is apt. Like Socrates, he saw himself encouraging men to focus on their own behaviour, and to live a virtuous life. His reply to the claim that life is evil, was "no, not life itself, but living wrongly is evil". Like the <A HREF="../t03/g050.html" TARGET="_top">Stoics</A>, his aim was to live in accordance with nature. By this, he meant a life free from social restraint, and distracting desires. By rejecting all property, goods and conventions, he focussed on mastery of the one thing of value that was his, his soul. <P> Compared to others, his self denial was extreme and his behaviour outrageous. He is said to have rolled his barrel over hot sand in summer and embraced statues in winter to train the body to hardship. He did everything from eating to masturbating in public. Like many extremist radicals, he was and is admired even by those who disapprove of his extremism. If any one ever lived their philosophy, it was Diogenes. <BR clear=left><BR> <HR width=100%> <A HREF="http://www.creatorix.com.au"><IMG SRC="../creatorix.gif" WIDTH="85" HEIGHT="40" BORDER="0" ALT="Creatorix" align=right></A> </BODY>