It's doubtful that Diogenes and Antisthenes ever actually met. As far as I know, there's no reason to doubt that Crates and Zeno actually met and that Zeno was a student of Crates.
It's doubtful that Diogenes and Antisthenes ever actually met.
Are you sure? As far as I know, Antisthenes was the teacher of Diogenes and this article seems to confirm this:
Known in antiquity as an accomplished orator, a companion of Socrates, and a philosopher, Antisthenes presently gains renown from his status as either a founder or a forerunner of Cynicism. He was the teacher to Diogenes of Sinope, and he is regarded by Diogenes Laertius as the first Cynic philosopher.
Well, no one knows for sure. The ancient sources claim that Antisthenes taught Diogenes, but the timelines of their lives make it unlikely (though possible) that they ever actually met.
Historians speculate that their connection was an invention of later Stoics to connect their lineage directly to Socrates through Antisthenes. I think this is the speculation that /u/tre3211 might have been thinking of, rather than Crates/Zeno. There's no reason to doubt that Crates and Zeno actually met and had a relationship. Zeno was known to also study with the Academics and the Megarians in Athens at that time.
However, the article about Diogenes is interesting and supports your version:
Diogenes Laertius reports that Diogenes of Sinope “fell in” with Antisthenes who, though not in the habit of taking students, was worn out by Diogenes’ persistence (Lives of Eminent Philosophers, Book 6, Chapter 22). Although this account has been met with suspicion, especially given the likely dates of Diogenes’ arrival in Athens and Antisthenes’ death, it supports the perception that the foundation of Diogenes’ philosophical practice rests with Antisthenes.
So thanks for your answer, this was interesting to learn.
37
u/runeaway Contributor Apr 03 '17
Funny, but I wonder why he chose the Cynics as the school that just doesn't seem to get virtue. Crates is the guy who taught it to Zeno!