Cynic

Cynicism is a school of ancient Greek philosophy founded in the 4th century BCE by Antisthenes and developed by Diogenes of Sinope. The name derives from kynikos, meaning “dog-like,” a label applied by critics to describe the Cynics’ blunt honesty and their rejection of social norms. The central tenet was that virtue is the only good, attained by living in accordance with nature and independence from external goods such as wealth, power, and reputation.

Cynics practiced asceticism and self-sufficiency (autarkeia), challenging conventional desires and societal conventions. They promoted frugal living, direct speech, and provocative behavior to critique hypocrisy and to demonstrate that happiness comes from inner virtue rather than external circumstances. Their cosmopolitan outlook urged individuals to consider themselves citizens of the world rather than followers of local customs.

The movement influenced later Hellenistic philosophy, notably Stoicism, which adapted some Cynic ideas about virtue and self-control while distancing itself from the more provocative lifestyle of Cynicism. Modern assessments of Cynicism often emphasize its critique of social values and its emphasis on virtue over material success, though it is frequently misunderstood as mere pessimism or misanthropy.

In contemporary usage, a “cynic” describes a person who questions others’ motives or distrusts sincerity. The term also names a musical project: Cynic is a progressive metal band formed in 1989 in Florida, recognized for blending death metal with elements of progressive rock and releasing albums such as Focus (1993) and Traced in Air (2008).