How Are Alexander And Diogenes Alike

In ancient Greece, Diogenes and Alexander had some of the most distinguished personalities, which made people admire them. Diogenes, founder of Cynicism, was a philosopher that lived his life as he described natural and free of convention, as he thought all men should. Alexander the Great, king of Macedonia, was one of the most brilliant thinkers and successful conqueror of his time. In Highet’s essay” Diogenes and Alexander”, he describes their personalities and the meeting these two great men had. While both Alexander and Diogenes had many admirers during their time, from Highet’s essay describing these men, Alexander was more admirable. Alexander was more admirable than Diogenes because of his compassion, background, and contribution to …show more content…
Throughout his life, Diogenes would insult people for not living their life as he thought fit. Highet states that, Diogenes would examine the faces of every men he encountered. Thinking most men are only half-men, he would tell them “I am trying to find a man” (471). Diogenes’s mocking attitude towards those that did not live their life like him, shows that he was not very compassionate towards other people. In contrast to Diogenes, Alexander’s boundless compassion was displayed on many occasions. One instance was when Alexander saw out Diogenes out of respect and asked him” Is there anything I can do for you, Diogenes?” (473). The compassion demonstrated by Alexander, even after Diogenes disrespected Alexander by not even standing to greet him, shows that Alexander was a kind man who respected Diogenes even though the respect was not returned. Alexander’s considerate personality, should be praised and admired by all …show more content…
Highet states this about Diogenes, “Having no work to go to and no family to provide for, he was free” (470). Because of his Diogenes strict believes, he did feel the need have a job. This lack of contribution to his society led Diogenes to beg others for their food. Diogenes went as far as to wash himself at the public fountain and to lay his waste on the roadside (Hight 469-470). Unlike Diogenes, many people did have families to provide for and a need for a job. Since Diogenes looked down on those who would keep materials, even as simple as chair, he wasn’t able contribute to his society and help the people around him. Alexander’s contribution on the other had influential impacts to many aspects of the culture. Highet states that Alexander “took with him a large corps of scientists, and shipped hundreds of zoological specimens back to Greece for study” (472). Alexander’s passion to seek out everything abnormal and to study it, made ancient Greece more intellectual empire. Alexander also took several philosophers, including one of Diogenes’s pupil, spreading the philosophy of different cultures through his travels (Highet 472-473). Alexander’s admirable contribution to his society displays, why Alexander is more admirable than