In human history, why has the behavior of "cynics" and "servants" been so prevalent in expressing loyalty? Why do they lose their dignity but still behave as if they have no shame?
Because for those who find themselves in extreme situations of "dictatorial oppression" and "ironclad rules," living like a "cynic" can become a survival strategy for self-protection and adaptation to the environment. However, this attitude towards life cannot be an effective strategy for "fighting against evil forces" or "changing the environment."
It is an undeniable fact that for most of human history, people have been oppressed by authoritarian rule, with the exception of the unique example of ancient Greek city-state democracy. In the ancient history of various nations, monarchic authoritarian rule was a common occurrence. Throughout the vast history of humanity, people have lived under the "ironclad rules" of authoritarian power for most of the time.
Phillips referred to the "ironclad rules" (slavery) as an extreme survival situation under irresistible circumstances, which can also be applied to other survival environments where personal freedom and human rights are lost. Your personal power cannot overcome this evil force, and you have to endure its oppression.
Foucault believed that human society, from ancient times when it unleashed its madness on human bodies and minds through torture, gradually evolved into a survival purpose of implementing "gentle" violence to make the ruled submit and "consciously" accept discipline. He believed that people's bodies, actions, and subjectivities are all results of the exercise and shaping of power.
Therefore, unlike the violent rule of slavery, governments like the Nazi totalitarian rule of "ironclad oppression" always combine benevolence and authority, using the behavior of a few to train the loyalty of the majority of subjects. As long as you continue to express loyalty through "cynical" or "servant" behavior, over time, regardless of what you think in your heart, you have already entered the role of a "cynic" or "servant" and completely lost your personal dignity. At the same time, your role behavior will have a demonstrative effect on those around you, leading to imitation, thus achieving the "discipline" effect that Foucault mentioned.
It is said that Diogenes once lived in a barrel, begging for a living, and people mocked him for living like a dog. However, Diogenes himself did not feel particularly sad. One day, Alexander the Great came to visit Diogenes, who was lying on the ground sunbathing, and asked him what he wanted as a favor. Diogenes replied, "Just don't block my sunlight."
"Living like a dog" is the only way for a "cynic" to seek survival, highlighting the crisis of belief in society: since nobility doesn't matter, neither does lowliness. Since there is nothing "remarkable," there is also nothing "undesirable."
The result of holding this attitude towards life is that from a complete rejection of the secular world, it turns into shamelessness towards the secular world.
Just like the impoverished cynic Delres, when others give him money, he gladly accepts it but speaks with righteousness: "You generously give it to me, and I take it from you without any humility or complaining."
"Cynicism" becomes a clear but helpless mentality and way of life, with a desire for change but giving up the possibility of action. On one hand, it doubts, distrusts, and disbelieves in things around it, but on the other hand, it cannot see any way to change them, leaving only the survival strategy of indifference, passivity, and inaction, and eventually abandoning dignity, seeking to conform and compromise.
Cynics believe that compared to upholding pure morality, conforming and compromising can preserve life, and conspiring with it will bring more benefits. Since conforming and compromising can allow you to survive, then you must develop a set of "pretending" skills.
For example, in the extreme situation of Nazi "ironclad oppression," in order to resist, one must first be able to survive. Those who resist control their own survival, avoiding unnecessary sacrifices and not letting the bad people force them to death.
People living under "ironclad oppression" live in a constant state of fear. In order to protect themselves and prevent accidents, they must be cautious in their words and actions, carefully hiding their true thoughts and emotions, keeping silent on sensitive matters.
Cynicism thus becomes a psychological mechanism for many silent individuals to compensate for their inner shame. They are cynical, sarcastic, and view those who dare to speak out as troublemakers.
A Soviet intellectual once revealed an unspeakable fact: the more cowardly a person is, the more likely they are to be shameless cynics.
In that era, in an extreme environment where freedom of speech and freedom of thought were not allowed, people had to learn to speak cleverly or simply close their mouths. However, that was not enough; they also had to control their expressions, which was the art of pretending to survive.
Julia, Winston's lover in Orwell's "1984," was a master of pretense. She actively participated in the daily Two Minutes Hate rally, even throwing things at the screen to show her enthusiasm, even though she didn't believe a word of the dystopian lies. But she could act, appearing more loyal and devout than anyone else. She knew that the dystopia liked this kind of performance, and she only said what it wanted to hear.
Although the pretense in the face of "ironclad oppression" is a typical cynicism, it is also a means of self-preservation.
Confucius in China long ago said, "When the state is well-governed, speak and act cautiously; when the state is in chaos, act cautiously and speak ambiguously." He also said, "Ning Wuzi, when the state is well-governed, is wise; when the state is in chaos, is foolish. His wisdom can be achieved, but his foolishness cannot."
In other words, Ning Wuzi, in times of political clarity, is wise, but in times of political darkness, he pretends to be foolish.
Confucius believed that others could achieve what Ning Wuzi could do, but pretending to be foolish like Ning Wuzi was a skill that others could not match. Others couldn't match Ning Wuzi because he had great wisdom hidden beneath his apparent foolishness.
It can be imagined that in an era over 2,500 years ago, there were very few people like Ning Wuzi who were good at pretending to be foolish, so being good at pretending to be foolish became a great wisdom.
However, in a so-called "state without virtue" society of "ironclad oppression," people who are good at pretending to be foolish are everywhere, and Diogenes is everywhere. Therefore, great wisdom has become small cleverness.
Great wisdom manifests as inner cultivation, appearing dull but actually containing hidden brilliance. People pretending to be foolish, on the other hand, are just playing small tricks to survive in a coercive environment.
Modern cynics believe that not letting others see their true selves is the safest way to survive.
However, if the mask of cynicism is worn for too long, it will change from "cannot be taken off" to "need not be taken off" to "unwilling to be taken off," and one will forget what kind of person they truly are beneath the mask.
Emile Zola said, "Individual justice upholds national justice, and individual dignity forms national dignity."
If a country is filled with "cynical" Diogenes who lack justice and dignity, what justice, dignity, and hope can that country have?