Antisthenes of Athens

Antisthenes of Athens (444-366 BCE) was a student of Gorgias and a follower of Socrates, who significantly influenced his theories. He is often identified as the founder of Cynicism. Very little remains of what Antisthenes wrote, but through the works of his followers we understand that he abandoned his wealth and all material enjoyment to pursue true happiness, which was defined by and existed only in moral virtue. This virtue was intellectually based and could be taught through knowledge and the study of language. Antisthenes believed that words were direct links to reality, that all propositions were either true or meaningless, and that it was impossible for there to be contradicting statements. For Antisthenes society should be ruled by the laws of virtue, which he considered more valuable than conventionally established laws or tradition.

Marda Kaiser