A philosopher just for dogs

Dogs and philosophers do the greatest good, for the fewest rewards.

This is one of Humphrey’s favorite quotes, attributed to Greek philosopher, Diogenes of Sinope (c. 412 - 323 BC). All dogs should be aware of this important philosopher.

Diogenes was a member of a group of ancient philosophers called the Cynics, and he remains probably the most famous of the Cynics.[1] Some say that the name, Cynics, comes from the Greek word kynikos, which means dog. Whether that’s true or not bears little matter because through Diogenes, they are quite formally connected to dogs! I’ll get to that in a moment…

Before I do, I want to mention that what Humphrey likes most about Diogenes is that he was (by today’s standards) somewhat of a comedic performance artist. He philosophized through dramatic acts instead of words, believing that virtue is best expressed through action. Diogenes was always trying to make some point or other in ancient Greece, usually criticizing society. Perhaps his most written-about antic is the time he walked around Athens all day long, lit lantern in hand, claiming to be looking for an honest man, but never able to find one. This was how he conveyed his position that society was corrupt.  

Here’s where dogs come in….Diogenes believed that people should look to dogs as the ideal way of being. Dogs are not encumbered by abstractions and ideas, they’re not concerned about the past or future and they live in the present. Street dogs, Diogenes observed, live in accordance with nature. Independence, simplicity, the ability to adapt themselves to changing circumstances, no inhibition of feelings and physical needs, absolute honesty, freedom of speech—they bark whenever they please and at whomever they dislike. These, he believed, are dogs’ virtues and strengths. By contrast, people have succeeded in creating a world in which neither rest nor happiness can be found, and everybody is a phoney-baloney.

Diogenes believed that people were too busy trying to kick or outdo one another rather than focusing attention on being good and virtuous. He laughed at people who read the sufferings of literary characters while neglecting their own problems; he ridiculed lecturers who talked about truth in their speeches but never practiced it in their lives. Thousands of years later, Humphrey wonders, have we solved these problems?

Diogenes did lots of outrageous things in his life – including living in a tub to make a point about simplicity. He rejected luxury of any sort, and tried to (quite literally) follow the dogs’ ways of life. There are all sorts of stories about his outrageousness, and it’s not clear which are true and which are fables – though if you’re curious, Humphrey suggests that you look up the story about Diogenes’ encounter with Alexander the Great for a giggle ;)

Humphrey hopes to convince his guardian to stop being so caught up in theory and pretention, and remember that happiness and virtue come from authentic life and a return to simplicity. He also reminds readers that even ultra-conservative David Brooks would probably agree. His guardian, however, wonders why Humphrey appears so obsessed with invoking David Brooks' position in just about every point he tries to make. She is much more likely to be persuaded by references to Maureen Dowd if he feels he must turn to NY Times columnists.

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[1] The Cynics are considered important in philosophy because they influenced the philosophical tradition of Stoicism.