“Cynicism” is actually an ancient Greek philosophy. Using this definition of Cynicism, the most famous Cynic would be the 4th century philosopher Antisthenes. (But then again, how famous could he be? I’ve never heard of him, and I even took three philosophy classes in college.) This classic version of cynicism repudiated the conventional style. Classical Cynics were interested in goodness and simplicity in all aspects of their lives. Cynicism, in this sense, is an early example of asceticism.
My favorite thing Antisthenes said? “I’d rather be angry than feel pleasure.”
That’s a hardcore philosophy right there.
Modern Famous Cynics
The classic definition of cynicism is only used by philosophers these days. In contemporary usage, cynicism is simply the attitude that people are interested in themselves. One of the most common adjectives used to describe a modern Cynic is “hasido”. When you describe someone as cynical, you are usually referring to their eagerness to believe the worst in others.
When I think of cynics in contemporary usage, I think of people like Howard Stern, Donald Trump, and George Carlin. Other famous cynics include Richard Nixon, Gordon Gekko, and Snake Plissken.
One of Howard Stern’s most recent statements demonstrates his cynicism: “Just the mention of Jay Leno’s name mom makes me want to throw up.”
It’s hard to imagine a more innocuous person in the entertainment world than Jay Leno, but Howard Stern, in his cynical way, sees right through that seemingly charming persona. He sees Jay Leno as a guy who sabotaged Conan O’Brien and pushed Carson the show tonight in a ruthless way.
Getting to a famous Gordon Gekko cynical quote doesn’t take long. “Greed is good.” What more needs to be said?
George Carlin managed to be cynical, funny and whimsical at the same time, which is no small thing. My favorite quote from the cynical George Carlin? “Think about how stupid the average person is and realize that half of them are even stupider than that.”
Richard Nixon said, “Any change is resisted because bureaucrats have a vested interest in the chaos they live in.” Nixon, cynical? No.
But is cynicism an appropriate approach to life? It will make you happy? Will cynicism increase someone’s quality of life?
Some cynics might argue that cynicism is just a matter of being realistic, and that being realistic can and will improve one’s life and that of others. I wonder if Mother Teresa, a notable non-cynic, would agree with that point of view.