Diogenes

Diogenes of Sinope was a Greek philosopher and one of the most famous figures of the philosophical school known as Cynicism, which advocated for a life in accordance with nature and virtue over societal conventions. Living around 400 BCE, he is known for his ascetic lifestyle and sharp criticism of materialism and pretentiousness. Diogenes famously roamed Athens with a lantern in daylight, claiming to be searching for an honest man. His provocative actions and ideas challenged social norms, emphasizing self-sufficiency, simplicity, and living authentically, thereby influencing later philosophical thought on ethics and personal freedom.