Cynic

cynicism
A. An attitude of scornful or jaded negativity, especially a general distrust of the integrity or professed motives of others: the public cynicism aroused by governmental scandals.
B. A scornfully or jadedly negative comment or act: "She arrived at a philosophy of her own, all made up of her private notations and cynicisms" (Henry James).
C. Cynicism The beliefs of the ancient Cynics.

I am pretty often accused of being a cynic; particularly when the issue at hand is religion, American Politics, or American Capitalism. When I am it is pretty clear that, usually, the people doing the accusing are thinking of "A" and / or "B". And what can I say? Though I wouldn't think of myself as a cynic in all things and at all times, when it comes to those three arenas the label definitely fits. But I never really think of myself as a cynical person.

But "C" got me curious. I was vaguely aware that cynicism had it roots in Greek Philosophy going back to Socrates, but that was pretty much it. Looking it up lead to this description;

... For the Cynics, the purpose of life was to live in virtue, in agreement with nature. As reasoning creatures, people could gain happiness by rigorous training and by living in a way which was natural for humans, rejecting all conventional desires for wealth, power, sex, and fame. Instead, they were to lead a simple life free from all possessions.

Sadly, is seems the ancient Greek Cynics went a bit off the rails. Diogenes of Sinope is reported to have lived in a barrel and taught that all the trappings of human civilization be rejected. Living like an animal and off the money gathered by begging just doesn't strike me as a path to wisdom, joy or understanding, at least not for most of us. It also strikes me a more than a little hypocritical. (I am unimpressed with the Buddha for the same basic reason.)

Still, when placed against the background of our civilization, one that has surly gone off the rails itself, it seems those old cynics might have found a kernel of wisdom that we would be well served to plant and tend. Living in virtue ... set that against a society awash in guns, that worships violence and loves war. Living in harmony with nature ... does anything more need to be said? Who would argue that unbridled lust for wealth, power, sex, and fame have been good for our society and are leading to a future of justice, peace and joy?

Maybe, with an eye toward a little moderation, it is time for the ancient cynicism of the Greeks to make a comeback. In any case, it would appear I am more of a cynic than I first thought.