A cynic is a man who knows the price of everything but the value of nothing. (Oscar Wilde)
I guess this quote sheds negative light on a cynic. If so, I differ in my view. Differ as in not that the quote is wrong in what it states about a cynic, but interestingly, I find it wrong in its (seeming) scornfulness toward a cynic.
First of all, let me admit that I am not good with philosophical labels. I am not totally sure even now as to the perfect meaning of "cynicism". I have often heard this word spoken with a negative connotation. Quite a lot of times I have heard it used for me also, when I state the truth which negatively challenges the generally held beliefs. (For example: Every relationship is based on a purpose.) When I looked it up on Wikipedia, it only increased my confusion. So, whatever the real meaning of cynicism may be, here I am assuming that it means: An inclination to believe that people are motivated purely by self-interest; skepticism. – Because I have always heard the word used in this sense. Whatever I am going to say hereafter assumes this meaning of the word.
Continuing with my critique of the above quote (and many other on the same lines), it may be true that a cynic knows (or acknowledges) the value of nothing. But then, if one goes real deep into philosophy/truth-seeking one finds that in truth, nothing really has any value! The existence is intrinsically meaningless, and in order to see value in anything some delusion is necessary. There our mind does its job well in providing us with all sorts of delusions/illusions, and consequently, with meanings and values. Whether it is possible to live free of the mind/consciousness is another issue. Maybe it is not possible; nor am I saying it is necessary, even. But the point is, any meaning in the world, and thus any value that is perceived of anything, is human construct, our mind's work. The existence is absolutely devoid of any meaning. Thus, there couldn't be any intrinsic value in anything. So if someone, cynic or otherwise, does not see any value in anything, then that is not wrong at least from a strictly philosophical standpoint.
If you do not accept the fundamental nihilism (intrinsic meaninglessness of existence) then in that case I leave you with your prevailing views, whatever they are, on account of your intellectual infertility, or a lack strong philosophical orientation. But if you agree with it, then that automatically sets the position of a cynic – of not seeing value in anything – right.
Being an advocate of spirituality, however, from where I am, I see both nihilists and cynics only halfway on the path of spiritual development. But still, nihilism and cynicism (the way I have taken it to mean here) both are the positions far more sophisticated than, say, any position of an ordinary, non-philosophical mind.
A non-philosophical person generally looks happier than a cynic but his happiness is largely based on false beliefs. Here one might say, but in the end what matters is happiness. Well, yes. But the sea for non-philosophical people is too perilous. When the reality strikes these people (and it does), they are very hard-hit; because they are never prepared for the blow, always having lived with delusions, false beliefs – albeit, unaware of the fact.
Cynics and nihilists don't generally look happy (they are mostly gloomy and indifferent even to good things) because since they know the reality they won't find a cause to be happy. But knowing the reality is precisely the reason when something ugly happens to them they would not be so distraught as non-philosophical simpletons.
However, as I already said, I myself do neither advocate the position of nihilism nor of cynicism, because of the reason that they are not happy. But I would still defend them from those who are happy due to their ignorance/false beliefs, and in being so, consider themselves superior than cynics and nihilists, and pass such negative comments on them.
It's true that too much intellectual probing ruins happiness in the face of truth. But the right way out of it is not going back to ignorance (I doubt if that's even possible) or to not come out of ignorance at all. The right way is perfect spiritual development, which enables one to know the truth and still be happy/contented in life. And the path to perfect spiritual development does pass through cynicism and nihilism. So these two classes are in any case ahead of non-philosophical people.
A spiritually developed person is at the most sophisticated level of awareness. But understand that a cynic (and/or a nihilist) is at a more sophisticated level of awareness than an ordinary, non-philosophical person.
A spiritually developed person would not (or should not) utter such comments about a cynic. And when an ordinary, non-philosophical, person scorns or ridicules a cynic with such negative comments, it only shows his ignorance and/or lack of understanding about the world he is living in.
Note: This is not a criticism of Oscar Wilde, but of the apparently naive people who drop this quote and disparage cynics.
I guess this quote sheds negative light on a cynic. If so, I differ in my view. Differ as in not that the quote is wrong in what it states about a cynic, but interestingly, I find it wrong in its (seeming) scornfulness toward a cynic.
First of all, let me admit that I am not good with philosophical labels. I am not totally sure even now as to the perfect meaning of "cynicism". I have often heard this word spoken with a negative connotation. Quite a lot of times I have heard it used for me also, when I state the truth which negatively challenges the generally held beliefs. (For example: Every relationship is based on a purpose.) When I looked it up on Wikipedia, it only increased my confusion. So, whatever the real meaning of cynicism may be, here I am assuming that it means: An inclination to believe that people are motivated purely by self-interest; skepticism. – Because I have always heard the word used in this sense. Whatever I am going to say hereafter assumes this meaning of the word.
Continuing with my critique of the above quote (and many other on the same lines), it may be true that a cynic knows (or acknowledges) the value of nothing. But then, if one goes real deep into philosophy/truth-seeking one finds that in truth, nothing really has any value! The existence is intrinsically meaningless, and in order to see value in anything some delusion is necessary. There our mind does its job well in providing us with all sorts of delusions/illusions, and consequently, with meanings and values. Whether it is possible to live free of the mind/consciousness is another issue. Maybe it is not possible; nor am I saying it is necessary, even. But the point is, any meaning in the world, and thus any value that is perceived of anything, is human construct, our mind's work. The existence is absolutely devoid of any meaning. Thus, there couldn't be any intrinsic value in anything. So if someone, cynic or otherwise, does not see any value in anything, then that is not wrong at least from a strictly philosophical standpoint.
If you do not accept the fundamental nihilism (intrinsic meaninglessness of existence) then in that case I leave you with your prevailing views, whatever they are, on account of your intellectual infertility, or a lack strong philosophical orientation. But if you agree with it, then that automatically sets the position of a cynic – of not seeing value in anything – right.
Being an advocate of spirituality, however, from where I am, I see both nihilists and cynics only halfway on the path of spiritual development. But still, nihilism and cynicism (the way I have taken it to mean here) both are the positions far more sophisticated than, say, any position of an ordinary, non-philosophical mind.
A non-philosophical person generally looks happier than a cynic but his happiness is largely based on false beliefs. Here one might say, but in the end what matters is happiness. Well, yes. But the sea for non-philosophical people is too perilous. When the reality strikes these people (and it does), they are very hard-hit; because they are never prepared for the blow, always having lived with delusions, false beliefs – albeit, unaware of the fact.
Cynics and nihilists don't generally look happy (they are mostly gloomy and indifferent even to good things) because since they know the reality they won't find a cause to be happy. But knowing the reality is precisely the reason when something ugly happens to them they would not be so distraught as non-philosophical simpletons.
However, as I already said, I myself do neither advocate the position of nihilism nor of cynicism, because of the reason that they are not happy. But I would still defend them from those who are happy due to their ignorance/false beliefs, and in being so, consider themselves superior than cynics and nihilists, and pass such negative comments on them.
It's true that too much intellectual probing ruins happiness in the face of truth. But the right way out of it is not going back to ignorance (I doubt if that's even possible) or to not come out of ignorance at all. The right way is perfect spiritual development, which enables one to know the truth and still be happy/contented in life. And the path to perfect spiritual development does pass through cynicism and nihilism. So these two classes are in any case ahead of non-philosophical people.
A spiritually developed person is at the most sophisticated level of awareness. But understand that a cynic (and/or a nihilist) is at a more sophisticated level of awareness than an ordinary, non-philosophical person.
A spiritually developed person would not (or should not) utter such comments about a cynic. And when an ordinary, non-philosophical, person scorns or ridicules a cynic with such negative comments, it only shows his ignorance and/or lack of understanding about the world he is living in.
Note: This is not a criticism of Oscar Wilde, but of the apparently naive people who drop this quote and disparage cynics.
i think a cynic or a nihilist behaves in a particular way not because of his knowledge that all things are meaningless but because its just his nature.. so technically i dont think its a product of awareness..
ReplyDeleteThen I would call that "pessimism". Often times non-philosophical people regard cynics the same as pessimists. But I think there's a difference there.
ReplyDelete#257 Acknowledging the reality worse than your imagination is not pessimism. Pessimism is when you imagine worse than the reality.
But isn't spirituality just another form of belief and hence non-truth and construction to find meaning?
ReplyDelete@Anonymous, Interesting question. The answer is: Yes and no. Beliefs or meaning a spiritually developed person creates in his life to live by, is consciously chosen, and not followed out of ignorance. Pure rationality, though not wrong, is a dead-end. Nihilism may be scientifically accurate position, but it won't even justify one's choosing to live over death.
ReplyDeleteI would say, pure rationality only takes us to the half truth; for it doesn't take into account our emotions; and that's tragic. Our very desire to live is rooted in the emotional front. And emotional depth can never, and never will be, fathomed by rationality; but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. This is where spirituality enters to rescue nihilists and absurdists. It tells that to choose to live itself is embracing illusions. Beliefs are essential for a happy and fulfilled life.
We have this flawed conception of truth: Anything that is rationally understood is true, and the rest isn't. But the fact that we "feel" emotions should be enough to ring a bell that we are missing something. Though they may be ir-rational, excluding emotions out of the spectrum can't get one to full truth.
The only difference between spiritually developed person and an ignorant person is the difference of underlying awareness; not necessarily of actions.
Life happens through imperfection. Perfection (which is usually the aim of rationality) is death.