Let Things Revolt

Current Trends and Future Paths in the Anthropology of Cynicism

Abstract

Previous studies have commonly depicted cynicism as a mentality that both perpetuates existing power structures and undermines them from within. However, perspectives on cynicism's material and bodily aspects have been largely overlooked. This paper addresses this gap through the lens of Marxism's concept of false consciousness, material religion theory, and Foucault's analysis of kynicism (the etymology of cynicism). It explores how authority projects its order and intention and how cynicism affects people's bodies by employing two terms "Material Semiotics System" and "Cynical Body." Finally, it proposes a new approach to resistance against cynicism, which is to embrace things beyond the power's grasp.