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Repudiation of Stoicism in Dialogues of the Dead?
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Authored by Frank Redmond, 2012
In Dialogues of the Dead XXI, Lucian seems to be proposing an argument against the ethics of Stoicism. Lucian's use of the paradigm of Socrates, considered a sage by all ancient authorities, is very clever. See here:
<blockquote> XXI
Menippus. Cerberus
Me . My dear coz - for Cerberus and Cynic are surely related through the dog - I adjure you by the Styx, tell me how Socrates behaved during the descent. A God like you can doubtless articulate instead of barking, if he chooses.
Cer . Well, while he was some way off, he seemed quite unshaken; and I thought he was bent on letting the people outside realize the fact too. Then he passed into the opening and saw the gloom; I at the same time gave him a touch of the hemlock, and a pull by the leg, as he was rather slow. Then he squalled like a baby, whimpered about his children, and, oh, I don't know what he didn't do.
Me . So he was one of the theorists, was he? His indifference was a sham?
Cer . Yes; it was only that he accepted the inevitable, and put a bold face on it, pretending to welcome the universal fate, by way of impressing the bystanders. All that sort are the same, I tell you - bold resolute fellows as far as the entrance; it is inside that the real test comes.
Me . What did you think of my performance?
Cer . Ah, Menippus, you were the exception; you are a credit to the breed, and so was Diogenes before you. You two came in without any compulsion or pushing, of your own free will, with a laugh for yourselves and a curse for the rest. </blockquote>
When people spoke of indifference in Lucian's time, Stoicism almost had to have come up in the conversation. I think Lucian is pointing out how impossible the Stoic notion of indifference in the face of adversity is. If even the uber-sage Socrates looked into the abyss and was spooked, then how is anyone else supposed to survive the experience with complete indifference? The trip to Hades is tough for everyone and the only philosophy that can prepare one for the journey is the crude Cynicism of Diogenes and Menippus. They were so well practiced in their art, they went to Hades willingly. Socrates, even though it may seem he wanted to make the trip to Hades, couldn't cut it after all.