Classical Cynicism: A Critical Study - Hardcover

by Luis Navia (Author)

More than a school of philosophy with a defined set of beliefs and convictions, classical Cynicism represents an unconventional sect of philosophers and a way of life. This is a complete account of classical Cynicism from its beginnings in the Socratic circle to its extinction in late Roman times. In this thoroughly documented study, Navia explores various issues related to the sources of information about the Cynics, the development of Cynicism, and the principal representatives of classical Cynicism. Exploring the relationship between classical Cynicism and cynicism as understood in its ordinary modern sense, the author argues that despite their common designation, they represent significantly different philosophical attitudes. This book explicates the main ideas associated with classical Cynicism and argues that, its shortcomings notwithstanding, classical Cynicism furnishes us with a wealthy source of philosophical enlightenment.

Author Biography

LUIS E. NAVIA is Dean of Arts, Sciences and Communication, and Professor of Philosophy at New York Institute of Technology. He is the author of The Philosophy of Cynicism (Greenwood Press, 1995), has published twelve books in philosophy and cosmology, and has edited several philosophy textbooks. For over 20 years, he has worked for the Commission on Higher Education.