Classical Wisdom Speaks Should We Say “NO”? Lessons from Diogenes...
Nov 8, 2023
M. D. Usher, Professor of Classical Languages and Literature, discusses the importance of saying no and questioning societal norms. They explore the significance of teaching individuals to say no and viewing the world through a child's eyes. They also delve into the philosophy of cynicism and its contrasts to modern cynicism. The concept of appropriate technology and its connection to cynicism is explored, along with the influence of cynics on modern movements.
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Question First, Accept Less
- Say "no" to accepted premises and then ask why they must hold true.
- Cynics modeled questioning as a daily practice against conformity and disinformation.
Practice Saying No Regularly
- Train yourself to refuse unnecessary requests instead of reflexively agreeing to be a team player.
- Encourage childlike questioning to reclaim independent judgment in daily life.
Diogenes Cast As A Dog For Kids
- Usher cast Diogenes as a dog in a children's book to capture the literal meaning of cynic (doglike) and his public behavior.
- The dog character emphasized autonomy and refusing to be anyone's pet.