Did the cynics condone theft? Possession and dispossession in the diogenes tradition
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Authors
Bosman, Phlip
Issue Date
2005
Type
Article
Language
en
Keywords
Cynics , Diogenes tradition
Alternative Title
Abstract
In this paper, I explore the evidence in the Diogenes tradition on
the issue of theft. A line in Diogenes Laertius suggests that the
Cynic approved of temple theft. However, before that can be
taken as proof, various other factors need to be taken into
account: Cynic philosophical principles, their view of the gods,
and their adherence to begging and voluntary poverty. Finally,
the Diogenic anecdotes dealing with theft should be considered.
It appears that the Cynics could have constructed a case for
legitimising theft, but that they probably neither drew the
conclusion, nor put it into practice themselves. The claim that
Diogenes condoned temple theft may have found its way into his
Life from a hostile source, but it more probably goes back to
Bion of Borysthenes.
Description
Citation
Bosman, P. 2005,'Did the cynics condone theft? Possession and dispossession in the diogenes tradition', Phronimon : Journal of the SA Society for Greek Philosophy and the Humanities, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 63-75.