Concept in Definition ABC
Miscellanea / / July 04, 2021
By Florencia Ucha, on Feb. 2013
The word cynicism we use it in our language to express a behavior that humans usually present and that is characterized by the lack of shame that an individual presents when lying about something, or the impudence that he has when assuming himself as someone's defender or something that manifests a certainly reprehensible behavior from the moral or the good ones traditions.
Human conduct that implies the defense of reprehensible actions or the absence of shame in the face of lies
That is to say, cynicism is precisely defending actions and behaviors that are absolutely reprehensible and despicable, either because they affect someone's sensitivity or because they interfere in an untimely way with some subject sensitive.
We must say that cynicism is a attitude current of appreciation in people and that they use it to lie about something or to defend some dishonest behavior that deserves social disapproval.
And therefore it is that cynicism is undoubtedly one of the most common manifestations that people use when we want to express an irony or a mockery towards others.
Now, not everyone is capable of mastering this form of communication since it is essential to know how to handle irony and have intelligence to do it effectively, because of course, cynicism is associated with rationality and not emotion.
There are people who have a natural disposition towards cynicism, while there are others who do not.
Meanwhile, we must say that cynicism does not always go down well with others and, for that matter, you have to know when and where to manifest it, because it can cause social problems and harm us in some aspects.
As cynicism has a quota of mockery and irony, it will be necessary to know who to direct it to and when to use it, For this reason, we spoke that intelligence is crucial to use it in a compliant way and that we do not harm.
The causes that provoke the use of cynicism are certainly varied, although there are some quite common such as: the frustration that someone or something causes us, mistrust, or bad experience.
So, for example, the lack of social order or the prevailing corruption in a country are usually the cause of the use of cynicism to demonstrate against it, using mostly arguments and concepts derogatory.
Meanwhile, among the most common synonyms that we apply to this concept is that of shamelessness, which precisely allows expressing someone's lack of shame, while the antagonistic word to which we are concerned is that ofsinceritywhich implies the absence of lies or non-pretense in action and thoughts.
Although the indicated one is the current and most recurrent use that we attribute to this word today, many centuries ago, more precisely at the request of the Ancient Greece, the word cynicism was used to describe the doctrine that promoted school cynic, which was composed of the followers of the Greek philosopher Socrates.
It should be noted that the concept had a negative connotation because the intention given to it was that of to devalue, to despise the way in which the disciples of Socrates decided to live, totally removed from material wealth.
Philosophical system followed by the disciples of Socrates
For instance, what this philosophical system promoted was the development of a life close and in permanent contact with nature, freedom and the cult of wisdom because only in this way could the individual achieve happiness.
In no way will material questions bring man closer to harmony and peace.
Even more, they completely distanced themselves even from pleasure so as not to be tempted and end up being co-opted by this feeling.
The followers of this doctrine were popularly known as cynical and among the various curiosities that they manifested is that of admiration for dogs, because they considered them faithful expressions of simplicity.
Today, we also call cynics, but those who do defense of the lie, and on the other hand to those who are rather disbelieving of some values and repeatedly use mockery.
Over time the term came to be used in the language colloquial with the negative and pejorative sense that we mentioned at the beginning of the review.
Topics in Cynicism