Although externally the Stoics and Cynics appear extremely different from one another, especially in their lifestyle choices, their doctrines share many similarities. Cynicism and Stoicism both agree that a fulfilling life is achieved by seeking self-sufficiency and living in accordance with nature. The main difference between these philosophies is the way that they are applied. Since the Stoics apply these concepts in a more reasonable and less rigid way than the Cynics, Stoicism is a major improvement on Cynicism.
The core of Diogenes’ and Epictetus’ doctrines is to cast away unnecessary things that we are dependent on in order to attain self-sufficiency. Although this key concept is shared between these doctrines, Diogenes’ interpretation …show more content…
However, followers of these philosophies applied this concept in contrasting ways. The early Cynics, like Diogenes, felt that living in accordance with nature meant rejecting social conventions and norms. They view these constructions as unnatural and irrational since Diogenes viewed himself as a “citizen of the world” rather than a citizen of the state (56). He also believed that these norms served no purpose but to limit freedom. Some of these constructions consist of manners, etiquette, and having families. Stoics, on the other hand, do accept social conventions and norms but try not to control nature’s course of events. They view themselves a small part of nature but only capable of so …show more content…
They keep themselves inordinately busy with the task of how they may be able to live better, but they use up life in preparing themselves for life…the greatest obstacle to living is expectation which depends on tomorrow and wastes today. What lies in the hands of Fortune you deal with, what lies in your own hands, you let slip.” According to Seneca, life feels so short since we often waste time worrying about the future instead of living in the present. Relying on expectation over things we cannot control, like good fortune, is a major impediment preventing us from living in accordance with nature. Obsessing about the things we cannot control distracts us from the task at hand, and prevents us from focusing on the things we can
The core of Diogenes’ and Epictetus’ doctrines is to cast away unnecessary things that we are dependent on in order to attain self-sufficiency. Although this key concept is shared between these doctrines, Diogenes’ interpretation …show more content…
However, followers of these philosophies applied this concept in contrasting ways. The early Cynics, like Diogenes, felt that living in accordance with nature meant rejecting social conventions and norms. They view these constructions as unnatural and irrational since Diogenes viewed himself as a “citizen of the world” rather than a citizen of the state (56). He also believed that these norms served no purpose but to limit freedom. Some of these constructions consist of manners, etiquette, and having families. Stoics, on the other hand, do accept social conventions and norms but try not to control nature’s course of events. They view themselves a small part of nature but only capable of so …show more content…
They keep themselves inordinately busy with the task of how they may be able to live better, but they use up life in preparing themselves for life…the greatest obstacle to living is expectation which depends on tomorrow and wastes today. What lies in the hands of Fortune you deal with, what lies in your own hands, you let slip.” According to Seneca, life feels so short since we often waste time worrying about the future instead of living in the present. Relying on expectation over things we cannot control, like good fortune, is a major impediment preventing us from living in accordance with nature. Obsessing about the things we cannot control distracts us from the task at hand, and prevents us from focusing on the things we can