For me, it is a close call between Diogenes and Epictetus. But I've picked the former.

I like Diogenes because of his style. He was a Cynic (which means "dog" in ancient Greek) philosopher. He was homeless and begged for a living. He lived inside a giant broken vase on the side of the street. He pooped there for all people to see. He would also masturbate in public. He lived a life of maximum simplicity forgoing all types of material things.

When Alexander the Great asked him what he wanted, his only response was to tell Alexander to step aside because the world's most powerful man was getting in the way of his exposure to the sun. He carried a lighted lantern during the day as if looking for something. When asked why, he said, "I am looking for an honest man". He liked to troll Plato by eating during his lectures.

He was a total degen but a lovable one. Unfortunately, none of his writing survives but there are lots of funny stories.

Who is your favorite philosopher and why?

Thrilled to meet the famous philosopher, Alexander asked if there was any favour he might do for him. Diogenes replied, "Yes, stand out of my sunlight."

Alexander's response; "But truly, if I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes"

Translation; Let me illuminate your cynicism by moving the true sun.


In other words Aristotle makes Hellenistic period possible through Alexander by opening his eyes to knowledge. So its 1-0 for not being a cynic. There is nothing honest in being a beggar. You want to mock society, change it instead. Cynics will never achieve that because they have resigned in contempt to its mediocrity instead of engaging the "impossible" challenge.

Nice choice of Philosopher though. Unconventional. A true optimist finds immense wisdom even in beggars and see in them something so much more than their current state declares.

Einstein and Feynman are currently my "philosopher" heroes.

Pauli in Einstein's funeral said "Einstein's life ended with a demand from all of us for synthesis".
Synthesis prevails over cynicism.
May the dream outlive a thousand deaths.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taoism

Lao Tsu

Why? because you never know what the universe will throw at you on a given day. Seems like the only way to be truly ready is to find happiness in uncertainty.

I kinda see philosophers on a matrix and spectrum. Ideally the philosopher more worthy of favor has listened for consideration to a whole matrix and spectrum of philosophers openly and particularly that one who said something about knowing is not knowing what one knows.