{"product_id":"cynicism-from-diogenes-to-dilbert-9780786420933","title":"Cynicism from Diogenes to Dilbert","description":"\u003cp\u003eCynicism began as a school of philosophy that was largely inspired by Socrates and often decried by popular commentators as a social pathology  a nihilistic rebellion against the foundations of civilization. Modern definitions of the cynic describe an individual who is negative and sarcastic  violently opposed to established authority and social convention  and dedicated to existentialism. This book attempts to vindicate cynicism  arguing that it is both a progressive approach to social dilemmas and an enlightened understanding of the human condition. Chapter One establishes the foundations of classical Greek cynicism  while later chapters illustrate the varied faces of the cynic phenomenon in the persons of such disparate characters as Machiavelli  Nietzsche  Diogenes  the Dadaists  George Bataille  Samuel Beckett  Auberon Waugh  the creators of South Park  and others. Nietzsche is portrayed as the most important representative of both classical and postmodern cynicism  as well as the pivotal link between the two. The book focuses on significant periods of historical change  such as the Renaissance  and the historical cynics responsible for several seminal social ideas  including cosmopolitanism (citizenship of the world)  asceticism (personal growth through self-testing)  and parrhesia (finding ones voice in the presence of tyrannical forces). The author claims that aspects of Greek cynicism are present in contemporary society  offering a positive strategy for living in a hostile world.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45666175025205,"sku":"ByrdShop_0786420936","price":59.36,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780786420933.jpg?v=1782421844","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/cynicism-from-diogenes-to-dilbert-9780786420933","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}