Cynicism simply describes the absence of belief. Cynicism was a philosophy that was derived from Ancient Greece. Cynicism is primarily about virtue. The followers of cynicism were known by the Greeks as Dog Philosophers.

Cynics believed that the only thing needed for happiness was virtue and that their virtues alone could make them completely happy. What this means is that in following the cynic philosophy a requirement would be made to follow it to such an extent that anything and everything that does not further or improve or perfect virtue and attainment of happiness would have to be neglected. Which is where the the Greek name, kuon, or dog was given to them because they lived like dogs; neglecting family, hygiene, money, society, etc. in order to lead wholly virtuous and happy lives.

Common points between Socrates and Antisthenes

1. disregard pleasure and pain
2. the body is less important than the soul and one should benefit the soul by neglecting the body
3. non-virtue is worse than virtue because a virtuos person is always proper.

Antisthenes and his followers took these ideas and brought them to their extremes; neglecting all of the conventions of society such as bathing, marriage, money, etc.

Diogenes, one of Antisthenes most famous followers carry the ideology farthest. Diogenes was nicknamed "The Dog" and Plato referred to him as "Socrates gone crazy". He denied himself and others all physical wealth and all forms of pleasure; he lived in a barrel and his only possessions were a robe and a walking stick.

One day Alexander the Great asked Diogenes if it was true that he desired nothing. Diogenes said he only wanted one thing and then proceeded to ask Alexander to move a little to one side because he was blocking the sun.

Other cynics were not so extreme, for example Crates, liked much more in Athens than Diogenes, devoted his life to cultivating virtues and attaining true happiness, but never the less was married and renounced great family wealth in order to live with his philosophy. Crates was known in Athens as a kind and virtuous man worth respect. The character of Crates closely resembles the character of the Indian philosopher, Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha).

The cynical philosophy closely resembles the Buddhist philosophy in many ways. Both philosophies deny that pleasure is equal to or had anything to do with true happiness. Both philosophies also hold as fundamental aspects of their ethics that one should neglect the desires of the body for the benefit of the soul. Finally, the common, crucial ingredient in both philosophies was the use of virtue to attain happiness or as Siddhartha Gautama spoke it, "Enlightenment".