an emotion of jaded negativity, or a general distrust of the integrity or professed motives of other people. Cynicism can manifest itself by frustration, disillusionment and distrust in regard to organizations, authorities and other aspects of society, often due to previous bad experience. Cynics often view others as motivated solely by disguised self-interest
Genus: Attitude or perspective Differentia: Looking at things with the view that man is evil Comment: People are cynical of government They think that politicians do things to further their own personal goals, instead of the goals shared by the rest of the populace
Greek school of philosophy during the second half of the 4th century BCE The Cynics contended that civilization, with all its problems, was an artificial, unnatural condition and that it should be held in contempt Hence, they advocated returning to a natural life, which they equated with a simple existence, maintaining that complete happiness can be attained only through self-sufficiency because independence is the true good, not riches or luxuries The Cynics were exceedingly ascetic, regarding abstemiousness as the means to human liberation They did not propose the gratification of natural appetites so much as the nongratification of artificial ones
Cynics rejected conventional ideas of morality and the good life, arguing that the only good is that which is rational (and therefore virtuous) Most cynics also rejected private property, marriage and the State The modern word "cynic" derives from this school, but the meaning has changed, so that nowadays a cynic is simply someone who has no ideals, and doesn't believe other people do either
Cynicism about something is the belief that it cannot be successful or that the people involved are not honourable. This talk betrays a certain cynicism about free trade
Cynicism is the belief that people always act selfishly. I found Ben's cynicism wearing at times. idealism
Belief (expressed by Diogenes) that the entire point of human life is the satisfaction of our most basic natural needs, without any respect for social conventions Thus, the Cynics practiced self-discipline in order to avoid the unhappiness that invariably results from any effort to pursue artificial obligations Recommended Reading: The Cynics: The Cynic Movement in Antiquity and Its Legacy, ed by R Bracht Branham and Marie Odile Goulet-Caze (California, 2000) {at Amazon com}; Luis E Navia, Classical Cynicism (Greenwood, 1996) {at Amazon com}; and D R Dudley, A History of Cynicism (Ares, 1980) {at Amazon com} Also see IEP, OCP, Menahem Luz, ColE, noesis, CE, ISM, and MacE
The doctrine of the Cynics; the quality of being cynical; the mental state, opinions, or conduct, of a cynic; morose and contemptuous views and opinions
A school of philosophy founded around the fifth century B C , probably by Antisthenes or Diogenes; the Cynics sought to lead lives of total simplicity and naturalness by rejecting all comforts and conveniences of society