Недей да ми тъмниш.
Don’t Shade Me!

The Understanding of Freedom in the Cynic Diogenes

Summary/Abstract: In a famous anecdote told by Diogenes Laertius and Plutarch, Alexander the Great met in Corinth with the Cynic Diogenes. Asked by Alexander what wish he would like to grant him, the philosopher replies: “Don't shade me”. According to the traditional interpretation, this anecdote shows the strength and independence of Diogenes. According to the interpretation in this article, however, Diogenes and Alexander are the two sides of the understanding of freedom as a provocation to traditional norms and original living. Diogenes expresses the desire for an original existence in the community, and Alexander – in the world. There have always been people who lived differently than others. With Diogenes and Alexander, however, original living that provokes the limits of the human becomes the leading form of human identity. Man no longer identifies with his city and lineage, but with the original way he lives. What is the reason for this change? According to this article, the change was a reaction to the expansion of the Greek world and the disintegration of the polis community as a form of life resulting from Alexander's campaigns. Discovered as original living, however, freedom is now also perceived as a demonstration of freedom, hence as a competition to manifest who lives more original.

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