The philosophy of cynicism

How can we define cynicism?Cynicism - the belief that people are only interested in themselves and are not sincere; the fact of using someone's feelings or emotions to your own advantage.(from the Cambridge English Dictionary) You are going to enjoy a TED video about one of the greatest philosophers of all times. You are welcome to switch on the subtitles (cc) to make the comprehension easier. Useful vocabulary. Definitions (визначення).Group 1 (for your convenience there are 3 groups of 4 words) Match the words with their definitions. In the brackets a part of speech of a word is indicated: v = verb, n = noun, adj. = adjective. It's advisable that you put down some of the words you may find useful. counterfeit ['kaʊntəfɪt] (v.) to make a fraudulent (=illegal) imitation exile ['ɛgzaɪlˌ 'ɛksaɪl] (n.) a prolonged, usually enforced absence from one's home or country; banishment disgrace [dɪs'greɪs] (n.) a condition of shame, loss of reputation, or dishonour vanity ['vænɪtɪ] (n.) excessive pride in or admiration of one's own appearance or achievements Definitions. Group 2 insult ['ɪnsʌlt] (n.) a disrespectful or scornfully abusive remark or action commitment [kə'mɪtmənt] (n.) the state or quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity, etc. adherent [əd'hɪərənt] (n.) a supporter or follower hypocrite ['hɪpəkrɪt] (n.) a person who pretends to be what he is not Definitions. Group 3 at odds in conflict in vain without success or a result rebel ['rɛb(ə)l] (n.) a person who rises in armed resistance against an established government or ruler status quo [kwəʊ] the existing state of affairs Choose the correct option:If you let the dust settle, it means ... you let the situation calm down you tidy your room) If you are stripped of something you have, ... you gain something important something important is taken from you If you tease someone, you ... show them your respect make fun of or attempt to provoke them in a playful way If someone mocks you, they ... show or pretend that they think you are foolish give you money Diogenes forwent (past from 'forgo') technology, baths, and cooked food, it means that he ... went to the restaurants. gave up those things. Some Greek philosophers, like the Stoics, attempted to tone down Diogenes' philosophy to be more acceptable to conventional society. The Stoics tried to explain his philosophy. The Stoics tried to make his views less severe or offensive. If he never practises what he preaches, he ... never does the things that he advises other people to do does the things that he advises other people to do Match the word combinations that you've heard in the video a wandering (бродячий) lifestyle lay (laid, laid) = закладати (основу) the groundwork sticking stubbornly (вперто триматися за) to the here-and-now (= the present time) view smb charitably ['ʧæritəbli] (милосердно) approve (схвалювати) of smth question (ставити під сумнів) the status quo think hard (наполегливо) Sort the things out. A cynic described by the satirist Lucian (2nd cent. CE) unprincipled materialistic self-promoting only preached what Diogenes had once actually practiced A true cynic (the 4th century BCE) rejecting the opinions of others rejecting the societal measures of success could be truly free close to nature without materialism, vanity, or conformity happy creatures free from abstractions like wealth or reputation drawn to the freedom of a wandering lifestyle question the status quo Who's who? What did different philosophers feel about cynics? Let's revise what we have learnt. Philosophers When ? Key ideas Diogenes the 4th century BC sticked stubbornly to the here-and-now the Stoics the early 3rd century BC attempted to tone down his philosophy to be more acceptable to conventional society Jean-Jacques Rousseau the 18th-century the arts, sciences, and technology, corrupt people Friedrich Nietzsche 1882 a 'revaluation of values' Who said what? Alexander and Diogenes (1818) by Nicolas Andre Monsiau Look at the picture, click on the green button and insert one of the following:Get out of my sunshine!/ Alexander the Great/ Diogenes/ What do you want? Get out of my sunshine! Diogenes Alexander the Great What do you want?