Aristotle vs Diogenes of Sinope
Aristotle and Diogenes of Sinope represent two opposing models of what philosophy is for. Aristotle, the systematic philosopher of the Lyceum, treated philosophical inquiry as the patient pursuit of knowledge across every field; Diogenes, the founding Cynic, treated philosophy as a public performance of virtue against the conventions of civilized life.
At a glance
| Aristotle | Diogenes of Sinope | |
|---|---|---|
| Dates | 384 BC – 322 BC | c. 412 BC – 323 BC |
| Nationality | Greek | Greek |
| Era | Ancient | Ancient |
| Movements | Peripatetic School, Ancient Greek Philosophy | Cynicism, Hellenistic, Ancient Greek Philosophy |
| Profile | Aristotle → | Diogenes of Sinope → |
Where they agree
Both inherited the Socratic concern with how a human being should live, both held that the good life is a matter of cultivating reason against the desires and conventions that obscure it, and both treated philosophical practice as inseparable from biographical example.
Where they disagree
Aristotle held that the highest human life is the contemplative life of the philosopher within a well-ordered city, sustained by external goods and political community. Diogenes rejected the city, conventional ownership, and conventional morality, treating philosophy as a discipline of voluntary deprivation and shameless candor. Where Aristotle saw philosophy continuing the work of civilization, Diogenes saw civilization as itself the obstacle to virtue.
Representative quotes
Aristotle
-
“All men by nature desire to know.”
Metaphysics Book I, 980a.21 : Opening paragraph of Metaphysics | Variant: All men by nature desire knowledge. | The first sentence is in the Oxford Dictionary of Scientific Quotations (2005), 21:10 -
“Friendship is a single soul dwelling in two bodies.”
A friend is one soul abiding in two bodies. -
“The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.”
Diogenes Laertius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers
Diogenes of Sinope
-
“I am looking for an honest man.”
He lit a lamp in broad daylight and said, as he went about, "I am looking for a human . -
“I am a citizen of the world.”
Diogenes Laërtius , vi. 63 -
“When Alexander the Great addressed him with greetings, and asked if he wanted anything, Diogenes replied "Yes, stand a little out of my sunshine .”
From Plutarch , Alexander , 14. Cf. Diogenes Laërtius , vi. 38, Cicero , Tusculan Disputations , v. 32
Continue reading
- Full profile: Aristotle
- Full profile: Diogenes of Sinope
- Shared movements: Ancient Greek Philosophy
- Browse all philosopher comparisons