Ежелгі грек киниктерінің жаһандық қоғамға ұсынған идеясы: ұстамдылықтың әмбебап ізгілігі

Abstract

The article examines the relevance of the universal and radical virtue of temperance proclaimed by the an-cient Greek Cynics (kynikoi) and embodied in their everyday way of life for contemporary global consumercivilization and society. Focusing on the principal philosophical and ethical characteristics of temperance, theauthor explores the extent to which this virtue is compatible with the conditions of the modern global world,which is dominated by an excessive pursuit of pleasure, overconsumption of material goods, and the continu-ous expansion of artificially created needs. The article also analyzes the significance for contemporary humanexistence of such Cynic principles as simplicity of life, freedom from material dependence, self-restraint, andsatisfaction with natural needs. The study concludes that the radical ascetic solutions characteristic of antiqui-ty cannot be fully applied to contemporary society. Nevertheless, a more flexible form of temperance maycontribute to alleviating the ecological, social, and moral problems of modern global civilization. This formmay be described as moderate or “soft” temperance based on maintaining measure and balance in all spheresof life. It does not imply a radical restriction of basic human needs, but rather a reduction of excessive con-sumption, conscious decision-making, and a responsible attitude toward resources. From this perspective,Cynic asceticism, once deprived of its radical character, may be regarded as one of the possible ways ofachieving such soft temperance.