No I was not trolling my professor or peers, I was trying to raise a philosophical discussion.

I'd been reading about Diogenes how he'd supposedly masturbated in public to prove a point about natural urges and societal shame (saw it on reddit, it must be reliable and a historical event). I thought, why not now? If Diogenes could do it in public of Athens, I could do it in Philosophy 3001W to make a statement. So, I did mid-lecture, I unzipped my jeans and started emulating Diogenes. I figured it'd spark a discussion, maybe even earn me some philosopher cred or even extra credit. For about ten seconds, I felt like Diogenes. Then the room went silent, everyone looked at me in shock.

Before I could even explain to my professor and peers I got kicked out of class. Isn’t philosophy about challenging ideas instead of conforming to rules? My professor and peers lacked imagination and the idea of philosophy itself in handling my act of rejecting social norms.

If Socrates were to see my act he would have likely thought to himself in supporting me by asking “Why this act? What truth does it reveal?” Even Nietzsche would see me as the higher man rejecting herd mentality. What even is the point of philosophy if one can’t demonstrate philosophical points regarding cynicism?