Publication Details

Abstract

The paper deals with parrhesiastic practices of the Cynic Diogenes of Sinope. Cynic parrhēsia, the freedom of speech, works on two inseparable levels: on the individual-ethical level as the practice of truth-telling aiming at truthful and frank relationship to oneself; and as an educational practice on the level of social criticism. First, we analyze parrhēsia as a part of the Socratic care of the self (ἐπιμἐλεια ἑαυτοῦ), and as one of the modes of truth-telling, which Foucault characterizes as the discourse of ēthos. Further, we analyze Ancient sources depicting Diogenes’ approach to others in different situations with an emphasis on his gestural argumentation and comic use of body as well as on his practical refutation of other philosophers.