Cynics as Rational Animals

Type of content
Journal Article
Thesis discipline
Degree name
Publisher
JSTOR
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Language
Date
2020
Authors
Turp, Michael-John
Abstract

The Cynic exhortation to live according to nature is far from transparent. I defend a traditional interpretation: to live in accordance with nature is to live in accordance with human nature, which is to live as a rational animal. After discussing methodological concerns, I consider the theriophilic proposal that the ideal Cynic lives like an animal. I marshal evidence against this view and in favour of the alternative of Cynics as rational animals. Finally, I anticipate and address the concern that mine is an unduly idealized and Stoicized account.

Description
Citation
Turp M (2020). Cynics as Rational Animals. History of Philosophy Quarterly. 37(3). 203-222.
Keywords
Cynicism, Cynics, Diogenes, reason, nature, human nature
Ngā upoko tukutuku/Māori subject headings
ANZSRC fields of research
2202 History and Philosophy of Specific Fields
2203 Philosophy
Fields of Research::50 - Philosophy and religious studies::5002 - History and philosophy of specific fields::500207 - History of ideas
Fields of Research::50 - Philosophy and religious studies::5003 - Philosophy::500311 - Philosophical psychology (incl. moral psychology and philosophy of action)
Rights
All rights reserved unless otherwise stated