I’ve got a novel or two almost full blown in my head. I’ve been working on and releasing here on Substack chapters of a philosophical memoir called “Death Takes No Holiday,” trying to inject a little humor into Ernest Becker. You may use anything you desire, as long as you blame me. Use the word “blame.” Thanks!
"DIOGENES best known of the CYNICS typified the decadence & valueless excesses of his fellow Athenians---He adopted the simple life of dogs eating scraps, owning little more than his coat & sleeping in a discarded barrel --- thus, some think that 'CYNIC' came from the Greek 'KYNOS,' meaning 'DOG' ---"
"CYNICISM is often contrasted with 'TIMONISM' (cf Shakespeare's 'TIMON of ATHENS') Cynics saw what people could be & were angered by what they had become. Timonists felt humans were hopelessly stupid & uncaring by nature, & so saw no hope for change ---"
The key contrast is that while the original text presents Timonism as a philosophical position about human nature and potential for change, the blog entry expands this concept into a critique of modern economic and political systems. The blog draws parallels between Timonist misanthropy and what it sees as systemic issues in contemporary society, particularly focusing on economic inequality and power structures.
The blog significantly broadens the scope of Timonist thought by:
Connecting it to religious (Calvinist) ideology
Applying it to economic systems rather than just human nature
Using it as a framework for critiquing modern financial and political structures
This represents a significant evolution from the original philosophical concept, transforming personal misanthropy into a broader systemic critique
This analysis compares the classical understanding of Timonism and Cynicism with their modern interpretations in the context of economic and political systems
The blog entry extends the philosophical concepts into contemporary criticism of neo-liberalism and economic systems
Section 1: Classical vs Modern Interpretations
Classical Understanding (from original text):
Cynics: Actively criticized society while believing in potential for change
Timonists: Believed humans were inherently flawed and hopeless
Focus was primarily on human nature and social behavior
Modern Application (from blog):
Extends Timonist thinking to modern economic and political systems
Links to Calvinist philosophy and economic inequality
References Shakespeare's "Timon of Athens" for deeper analysis of money and power
Section 2: Key Themes in Modern Context
Economic Criticism:
Discusses money power, usury, and the petro-dollar system
References Belloc's characterization of the Reformation as "a rising of the rich against the poor"
Quotes Calvin: "The people must always be kept in poverty in order that they remain obedient"
Section 3: Philosophical Evolution
Original Timonism: Individual misanthropy and hopelessness
Modern Application:
Systemic critique of economic and political structures
Connection to religious (Calvinist) determinism
Analysis of institutional power rather than individual human nature
Conclusion
While classical Timonism focused on philosophical pessimism about human nature, the modern interpretation:
Extends to institutional and systemic critique
Connects historical philosophical concepts to contemporary economic systems
Uses Timonism as a lens to analyze modern power structures
The blog transforms personal misanthropy into structural criticism of economic and political systems
"DIOGENES best known of the CYNICS typified the decadence & valueless excesses of his fellow Athenians---He adopted the simple life of dogs eating scraps, owning little more than his coat & sleeping in a discarded barrel --- thus, some think that 'CYNIC' came from the Greek 'KYNOS,' meaning 'DOG' ---"
"CYNICISM is often contrasted with 'TIMONISM' (cf Shakespeare's 'TIMON of ATHENS') Cynics saw what people could be & were angered by what they had become. Timonists felt humans were hopelessly stupid & uncaring by nature, & so saw no hope for change ---"
The key contrast is that while the original text presents Timonism as a philosophical position about human nature and potential for change, the blog entry expands this concept into a critique of modern economic and political systems. The blog draws parallels between Timonist misanthropy and what it sees as systemic issues in contemporary society, particularly focusing on economic inequality and power structures.
The blog significantly broadens the scope of Timonist thought by:
Connecting it to religious (Calvinist) ideology
Applying it to economic systems rather than just human nature
Using it as a framework for critiquing modern financial and political structures
This represents a significant evolution from the original philosophical concept, transforming personal misanthropy into a broader systemic critique
This analysis compares the classical understanding of Timonism and Cynicism with their modern interpretations in the context of economic and political systems
The blog entry extends the philosophical concepts into contemporary criticism of neo-liberalism and economic systems
Section 1: Classical vs Modern Interpretations
Classical Understanding (from original text):
Cynics: Actively criticized society while believing in potential for change
Timonists: Believed humans were inherently flawed and hopeless
Focus was primarily on human nature and social behavior
Modern Application (from blog):
Extends Timonist thinking to modern economic and political systems
Links to Calvinist philosophy and economic inequality
References Shakespeare's "Timon of Athens" for deeper analysis of money and power
Section 2: Key Themes in Modern Context
Economic Criticism:
Discusses money power, usury, and the petro-dollar system
References Belloc's characterization of the Reformation as "a rising of the rich against the poor"
Quotes Calvin: "The people must always be kept in poverty in order that they remain obedient"
Section 3: Philosophical Evolution
Original Timonism: Individual misanthropy and hopelessness
Modern Application:
Systemic critique of economic and political structures
Connection to religious (Calvinist) determinism
Analysis of institutional power rather than individual human nature
Conclusion
While classical Timonism focused on philosophical pessimism about human nature, the modern interpretation:
Extends to institutional and systemic critique
Connects historical philosophical concepts to contemporary economic systems
Uses Timonism as a lens to analyze modern power structures
The blog transforms personal misanthropy into structural criticism of economic and political systems
Very on point. Are you writing a new novel? Can I steal your tactic of using fake pictures of celebrities praising your book? if I credit/blame you?
I’ve got a novel or two almost full blown in my head. I’ve been working on and releasing here on Substack chapters of a philosophical memoir called “Death Takes No Holiday,” trying to inject a little humor into Ernest Becker. You may use anything you desire, as long as you blame me. Use the word “blame.” Thanks!
I have my blurb ready, "thoughtful and delicately morbid." I will start catching up with your backlist.
Thats a healthy dose of Cynicism, just what the doctoir ordered.
When Skeptisism is no longer cutting it Cynicism is the Answer not Timonism
https://grubstreetinexile.substack.com/p/they-the-heirarchy-that-enslave-youthe
"DIOGENES best known of the CYNICS typified the decadence & valueless excesses of his fellow Athenians---He adopted the simple life of dogs eating scraps, owning little more than his coat & sleeping in a discarded barrel --- thus, some think that 'CYNIC' came from the Greek 'KYNOS,' meaning 'DOG' ---"
"CYNICISM is often contrasted with 'TIMONISM' (cf Shakespeare's 'TIMON of ATHENS') Cynics saw what people could be & were angered by what they had become. Timonists felt humans were hopelessly stupid & uncaring by nature, & so saw no hope for change ---"
https://longhairedmusings.wordpress.com/2017/04/25/timonism-the-calvinist-strain-in-neo-liberal-misanthropy-zionism-the-money-power-usury-and-the-petro-dollar-fall-of-the-roman-empire-2-0/
The key contrast is that while the original text presents Timonism as a philosophical position about human nature and potential for change, the blog entry expands this concept into a critique of modern economic and political systems. The blog draws parallels between Timonist misanthropy and what it sees as systemic issues in contemporary society, particularly focusing on economic inequality and power structures.
The blog significantly broadens the scope of Timonist thought by:
Connecting it to religious (Calvinist) ideology
Applying it to economic systems rather than just human nature
Using it as a framework for critiquing modern financial and political structures
This represents a significant evolution from the original philosophical concept, transforming personal misanthropy into a broader systemic critique
This analysis compares the classical understanding of Timonism and Cynicism with their modern interpretations in the context of economic and political systems
The blog entry extends the philosophical concepts into contemporary criticism of neo-liberalism and economic systems
Section 1: Classical vs Modern Interpretations
Classical Understanding (from original text):
Cynics: Actively criticized society while believing in potential for change
Timonists: Believed humans were inherently flawed and hopeless
Focus was primarily on human nature and social behavior
Modern Application (from blog):
Extends Timonist thinking to modern economic and political systems
Links to Calvinist philosophy and economic inequality
References Shakespeare's "Timon of Athens" for deeper analysis of money and power
Section 2: Key Themes in Modern Context
Economic Criticism:
Discusses money power, usury, and the petro-dollar system
References Belloc's characterization of the Reformation as "a rising of the rich against the poor"
Quotes Calvin: "The people must always be kept in poverty in order that they remain obedient"
Section 3: Philosophical Evolution
Original Timonism: Individual misanthropy and hopelessness
Modern Application:
Systemic critique of economic and political structures
Connection to religious (Calvinist) determinism
Analysis of institutional power rather than individual human nature
Conclusion
While classical Timonism focused on philosophical pessimism about human nature, the modern interpretation:
Extends to institutional and systemic critique
Connects historical philosophical concepts to contemporary economic systems
Uses Timonism as a lens to analyze modern power structures
The blog transforms personal misanthropy into structural criticism of economic and political systems
Thats a healthy dose of Cynicism, just what the doctoir ordered.
When Skeptisism is no longer cutting it Cynicism is the Answer not Timonism
https://grubstreetinexile.substack.com/p/they-the-heirarchy-that-enslave-youthe
"DIOGENES best known of the CYNICS typified the decadence & valueless excesses of his fellow Athenians---He adopted the simple life of dogs eating scraps, owning little more than his coat & sleeping in a discarded barrel --- thus, some think that 'CYNIC' came from the Greek 'KYNOS,' meaning 'DOG' ---"
"CYNICISM is often contrasted with 'TIMONISM' (cf Shakespeare's 'TIMON of ATHENS') Cynics saw what people could be & were angered by what they had become. Timonists felt humans were hopelessly stupid & uncaring by nature, & so saw no hope for change ---"
https://longhairedmusings.wordpress.com/2017/04/25/timonism-the-calvinist-strain-in-neo-liberal-misanthropy-zionism-the-money-power-usury-and-the-petro-dollar-fall-of-the-roman-empire-2-0/
The key contrast is that while the original text presents Timonism as a philosophical position about human nature and potential for change, the blog entry expands this concept into a critique of modern economic and political systems. The blog draws parallels between Timonist misanthropy and what it sees as systemic issues in contemporary society, particularly focusing on economic inequality and power structures.
The blog significantly broadens the scope of Timonist thought by:
Connecting it to religious (Calvinist) ideology
Applying it to economic systems rather than just human nature
Using it as a framework for critiquing modern financial and political structures
This represents a significant evolution from the original philosophical concept, transforming personal misanthropy into a broader systemic critique
This analysis compares the classical understanding of Timonism and Cynicism with their modern interpretations in the context of economic and political systems
The blog entry extends the philosophical concepts into contemporary criticism of neo-liberalism and economic systems
Section 1: Classical vs Modern Interpretations
Classical Understanding (from original text):
Cynics: Actively criticized society while believing in potential for change
Timonists: Believed humans were inherently flawed and hopeless
Focus was primarily on human nature and social behavior
Modern Application (from blog):
Extends Timonist thinking to modern economic and political systems
Links to Calvinist philosophy and economic inequality
References Shakespeare's "Timon of Athens" for deeper analysis of money and power
Section 2: Key Themes in Modern Context
Economic Criticism:
Discusses money power, usury, and the petro-dollar system
References Belloc's characterization of the Reformation as "a rising of the rich against the poor"
Quotes Calvin: "The people must always be kept in poverty in order that they remain obedient"
Section 3: Philosophical Evolution
Original Timonism: Individual misanthropy and hopelessness
Modern Application:
Systemic critique of economic and political structures
Connection to religious (Calvinist) determinism
Analysis of institutional power rather than individual human nature
Conclusion
While classical Timonism focused on philosophical pessimism about human nature, the modern interpretation:
Extends to institutional and systemic critique
Connects historical philosophical concepts to contemporary economic systems
Uses Timonism as a lens to analyze modern power structures
The blog transforms personal misanthropy into structural criticism of economic and political systems