The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1885-03-24
CYNICISM
Discovered to be a Mental Disorder Result.
ing from Dyspepsia
Pointer.

Discovered to be a Mental Disorder Result.
ing from Dyspepsis.
1t is pleasing TO observe how the phi.
losophy of the cynics has of late years
fallen into low regard, until now the
disciples of AntiStheneS arr seriously
considered by themselves only. After
fiourishing with varying vigor for over
two thousand years the philosophy of
the cynics has at last totally collapsed
since it has been discovered that the
cynics' snarl is but the manifestation of
a distorted liver. There is. too. great
lick of romance about fit of indiges-
ton, and an ill-regulated liver is too
naked of dignity to permit. either to
exert. any influence On human thought
outside of the mind Immediately af-
tected.
The disrepute and final disregard into
which cynicism has fallen may be writ
ten down as one of the happiest victo-
rieS of modern science. The world
would have been saved much unhappi-
ness if ii had always been possible, as
science has made it now possible, to
classify all cyniclsms under the heads
of their respective causes. as ''in-
digestion" liver complaint etc. 1t
was witty for Socrates 10 say that he
saw the vanity of AntistheGes through
the hole in his garments, but it is much
more to the purpose that a specialized
physician of to-day can trace the mod
ern cynic's most chur,ish opinion to
piece of rndigested pie Or an ultra-pes-
simistic view to a sluggish liver,
That cynicism, pure and simple, has
come TO be regarded thus is fortunate,
too, for the reason that it was at once
the cheapest, and, 10 certain sophomore
minds, the most attractive school of
philosophy. 1t only required of its dis
ciples that they sneer when the preach
ers snarled. Now that it Is considered
bad form to repeat cynici>m. us if one
were to Introduce the question of rival
creeds. for instance. into polite society,
the budding philosophers are forced to
adopt some other school: and as none
is a bad a the cynics the general ay
it has improved is apparent from all
sides. Men are now no longer ashamed
to confess preferences for cleanly NOR
ais in others, and in this wild virile
West of ours women are even heard To
boast of the possession of physical
health, and with their sex spinal dis
ease is no longer the sole sign of gentle
birth and good breeding. Nations no
longer boast of their vices. and strange
rImors are afiOat that square shoulders
and a tanned face in the modern young
lady are so far from being equivalent
TO mark of vulgarity as 10 be actually
striven for, and their possession q cause
for uncOrcealed pride.
1t is a simple task to prove these
things some OF the fortunate results OF
the worlds Indifference TO the bark and
snarl of the cvnic. Until now, the
world has been afraid of cynicism, from
the time Aniisthenes constructed and
Dio@eneS. preached the cFnic philoSO-
phy, which placed the ideal of virtue in
the diSregarding OF every interest, hon
OF, and enjoyment, and in the independ-
ence of every restraint of life and so
ciety. That philosophy would not have
outlived DiOgencs had there been some
one there to prove him not a correct
philosopher. bus a confirmed dyspeptic.
Now that science has AT this remote
day supplied the necessary proof, no
one Is any longer afraid to preach en-
ioyment Tor is own sake. IL has be-
come popular TO praise the homciy DO
mestic virtues, 10 uphold the conyen-
tionalitieS of society aS the obligations
imposed by good taste. So charming
" natural is the philosophy begotten oi
"A release from the fear of cynicS that
men are now found bold enough to as
scrt life worth living for the mere en-
iovment of good health and il clear con
science Since to be cynic is merely
to acknowledge a vulgar bodily infirm-
itv, what the cynics most scoff at are
the thing which the healthy world now
most applauds; and thus ii has come 30
pass that mar is no longer ashamed
TO confess that he loves his wife, be-
lieves in his friends. has not found life
a bore, considers immortality disgusting
and believes in God.
Some there are IF this new school OF
philosophy, now that cynicism has been
routed by the superior claims of health
fulness, who are so advanced and dar-
inc in their views 40 to assert that the
time is not far distant when a man may
marry for love and say so without fear
of being sneered of the face of the
earth. Perhaps this is too hopeful a
view of the future, vet what is already
n .,,,,-o1 mo l-as uS Than ful that amOnp
it. many triumphs. modern science num-
bers that of having labeled cynicism a
mental disorder resulting from not
nice bodily ailment San Francisco
Chronicle.