Q0383
“I am looking for a human being.” — Diogenes of Sinope (Diogenes Laertius, Lives VI.41)
Verified English quotation. Primary source: Diogenes Laertius, Lives VI.41. Theme: critique.
English
I am looking for a human being.
Source and attribution
The archive attributes this English wording to Diogenes Laertius, Lives VI.41 and files it under Cynicism. That locator distinguishes the passage from loose internet attributions: readers can return to the named work or section to check translation, surrounding argument, and edition-specific wording.
About Diogenes of Sinope
Diogenes of Sinope (c. 412/403–c.
How to read this passage
Across 4 recurring voices here (notably Paulin Hountondji and Aimé Césaire), critique is framed through Africana Philosophy and Critical Rationalism. Some passages define critique; others warn how it fails; still others relocate it inside habit, community, or language. This passage enters that discussion through critique, humanity.
Concepts in this quote
- Critique
- Critique appears in this archive as a live philosophical concern—not a slogan. These verified English passages show how thinkers treat critique as a problem of judgment, practice, or explanation.
- Humanity
- Humanity names both the species and the moral quality of being humane—bridging anthropology and ethics.
How to cite this quotation
APA: Diogenes of Sinope. (n.d.). I am looking for a human being. In Philosophy Blind Box. https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0383
MLA: Diogenes of Sinope. “I am looking for a human being..” Philosophy Blind Box, https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0383.
Chicago: Diogenes of Sinope. “I am looking for a human being..” Philosophy Blind Box. Accessed 2026. https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0383.
Frequently asked questions
What is the source of the quotation “I am looking for a human being.”?
The passage is attributed to Diogenes of Sinope, Diogenes Laertius, Lives VI.41. The archive attributes this English wording to Diogenes Laertius, Lives VI.41 and files it under Cynicism. That locator distinguishes the passage from loose internet attributions: readers can return to the named work or section to check translation, surrounding argument, and edition-specific wording.
What does Diogenes of Sinope mean by critique?
Across 4 recurring voices here (notably Paulin Hountondji and Aimé Césaire), critique is framed through Africana Philosophy and Critical Rationalism. Some passages define critique; others warn how it fails; still others relocate it inside habit, community, or language. This passage enters that discussion through critique, humanity.