This post is intended to set and keep the record straight.
I notice a tendency in Fianna Fail politicians to attack the electorate by claiming it is cynical.
My free copy (free with âThe Independentâ? of London) of âThe Great Philosophersâ? defines a Cynic as:
A member of a school of Ancient Greek philosophy, namely Cynicism, wherein virtue was seen as the only good and self-control as the only means of attaining virtue. Cynics not only showed a complete disregard for pleasure, but also expressed contempt for human affection, preferring to find fault with most individuals for their lack of virtue. Diogenes was perhaps the most renowned Cynic.â?
It is a curious thing that, even in committing a solecism (using cynical when they mean sceptical) Fianna Fail politicians still manage to identify their opponents.