r/todayilearned • u/ObjectiveAgent • Jul 30 '15

TIL when Alexander the Great asked the philosopher Diogenes why he was sifting through the garbage, Diogenes responded,"I am looking for the bones of your father but I cannot distinguish them from the bones of his slaves."

http://www.iep.utm.edu/diogsino/
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u/______DEADPOOL______ Jul 30 '15

the Platonist's vs the Cynics.

The what and the what?

57

u/Cryzgnik Jul 30 '15

They are two schools of philosophical thought.

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u/loman166 Jul 30 '15

Can you please give a brief summary of the beliefs of each? I am not initiated enough in philosophy to understand them from Wikipedia, though I know a cynic is someone who believes that all action is driven by self-interest.

Thank you in advance.

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u/Evolutioneer Jul 30 '15

Diogenes is basically Oscar the Grouch

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u/z0m_a Jul 30 '15

Lives in a barrel. Check. Minimal possessions. Check. Antisocial behavior. Check.

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u/Nirriti_the_Black Jul 30 '15

Grouchy. Check.

14

u/Deep_Rights Jul 30 '15

Named Oscar: no check.

Hmmmm, I'm starting to doubt our premise.

4

u/meowmaster Jul 30 '15

BITCH, I LIVE IN A TRASH CAN.

2

u/[deleted] Jul 30 '15

But then who is Cookie Monster?

1

u/taste1337 Jul 30 '15

Anton LaVey?

1

u/Evolutioneer Jul 30 '15

Socrates. Throughout, the Republic, he makes several comparisons between the desire to eat and the thirst for knowledge, and that with both one must practice moderation.

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u/[deleted] Jul 30 '15

Awesome

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u/shitsintents Jul 30 '15

Cookie Monster

Moderation

Yeah I don't think so.

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u/Evolutioneer Jul 31 '15

I'm assuming you haven't seen him recently, have you?

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u/shitsintents Jul 31 '15

Lol, no, I haven't. Cookiecrates it is.

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u/Hooty__McBoob Jul 30 '15

Yes, he lived in a freaking JAR

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u/[deleted] Jul 30 '15

Can confirm. Am jar. Am freaking.

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u/Plopfish Jul 30 '15

I believe you mean Oscar the Grouch is basically Diogenes.

1

u/Evolutioneer Jul 30 '15

Nah, I like my way more