Mito Pasaulis Kaip Saikingumo, Moralumo Ir Būtiškumo Skleidimosi Vieta Kinikų Filosofijoje
Antique Cynicism: A World of Mythos as the Place where Modesty, Morality and Being Unfolds

Summary/Abstract: The Antique cynical philosophy earned it‘s fame by the first total anti-civilizational insurrection within the frames of history of Western culture. According to cynics, the concept of morals established by civilization destroys temperance as the fundamental principle of human being and nature, thus precluding every possibility of human happiness. Therefore human race needs to return to primordial temperance. The perfect examples of the latter were traced by cynics in the reality constructed by myths, namely, in lives of ancient Greek heroes and mythological barbarian sages and warriors as well as in equivalent of Thomas More’s Utopia – remote imaginary island “Pera”. The cases of sanctions following violation of natural temperance are also taken from mythical world. The best pattern for that is an interpretation of Prometheus’ fate. According to cynics, this titan, so honored and worshiped in Ancient Greece, nevertheless was rightly hammered to a rock, since the fire he brought was the first reversion of mankind from primordial temperance and, eventually, the first step to civilization, which brought with itself effeminacy, laxity and surplus of pleasures. Although patterns of natural temperance were found in mythical world, cynics believed that this world may and should be translated into reality. Continual askesis – practice of temperance for both body and soul – was regarded as the only instrument for such a realization. According to cynics, body must be strengthened by gymnastics, exercises of endurance and manual work whereas soul must be fortified by education.

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