LESSON ELEVEN INTRODUCTION Introduction The idea of total retreat from social conventions held a fascination for people throughout history.The image of Diogenes represents one such example.Unlike monks,hermits and others who disparage the artificial values of society and physically remove themselves,Diogenes remains in the heart of the society.His aim is to get others to understand the emptiness of the values promulgated by society.He uses himself and his way of life as an example to show others the value of the“natural life'”. Alexander's encounter with DiogenesIntroduction The idea of total retreat from social conventions held a fascination for people throughout history. The image of Diogenes represents one such example. Unlike monks,hermits and others who disparage the artificial values of society and physically remove themselves, Diogenes remains in the heart of the society. His aim is to get others to understand the emptiness of the values promulgated by society.He uses himself and his way of life as an example to show others the value of the “natural life”. Alexander’s encounter with Diogenes LESSON ELEVEN INTRODUCTION