Cynicism is a school of thought in ancient Greek philosophy, originating in the Classical period and extending into the Hellenistic and Roman Imperial periods. According to Cynicism, people are reasoning animals, and the purpose of life and the way to gain happiness is to achieve virtue, in agreement with nature, following one’s natural sense of reason by living simply and shamelessly free from social constraints.
– Wikipedia
The cynics were famous for their disregard of the opinions of others, and to some, it appears this philosophy is an attractive alternative to the enforced conformity of modern times. However, rejecting society to live in the streets is, in my mind, as senseless a way of life as endlessly striving to “fit in” and meet the expectations of our consumer culture.
I believe living in agreement with nature starts with an understanding of man’s position in nature, which is that of a social ape with better communication skills than others in our clade. As a social animal, my challenge is to balance the need to be a member of the social group while at the same time maintaining my independence of thought. In other words, neither a social conformist nor a social outcast, living in the woods or on the street.
Being a member of the social group and living a virtuous life is not only complementary but also supportive of each other. What use is the virtue of justice without its application in social settings and my interactions with others? It is through my interactions with others that I measure my progress in living a virtuous life.