Cynics

The Cynism is a school of philosophy in the Socratic period. The name ‘cynic’
derives from the Greek word for ‘dog’. They saw part of their job as acting as the
watchdog of humanity, and to evangelize and hound people about the error of their
ways, particularly criticizing any show of greed, which they viewed as a major cause of
suffering. Denoting their denial of luxuries, wealth and social status. One who rejects all
social conventions in order to live in accordance with nature. The Cynics believed that
such a life was necessary for freedom and virtue. The core of cynicism is the virtue of
well being and happy life beyond any conventional value. Founded by Antisthenes one
of the important pupils of Socrates in early 5th century and followed by Diogenes of
Sinope.

Skeptics

Also known as Pyrrhonism or Pyrrhonic Skepticism after the early proponent

Pyrrho of Elis is the philosophical position that one should refrain from making truth
claims, and the early Greek Skeptics were known as the Skeptikoi. In everyday usage,
Skepticism refers to an attitude of doubt or incredulity, either in general or toward a
particular object, or to any doubting or questioning attitude or state of mind an endless
disagreement. It is effectively the opposite of dogmatism, the idea that established
beliefs are not to be disputed, doubted or diverged from.

Stoics

Stoicism is a school of Hellenistic philosophy founded in Athens by Zeno of

Citium in the early 3rd century BC. The Stoics taught that destructive emotions resulted
from errors in judgment, and that a sage, or person of "moral and intellectual
perfection", would not suffer such emotions. Which teaches the development of self-
control and fortitude as a means of overcoming destructive emotions in short it’s teach
us to be clear or be well self decipline.

Epicureans

Epicureanism was a Greek philosophy started by Epicurus (341—270

BC). A philosophy advanced by Epicurus that considered happiness, or the
avoidance of pain and emotional disturbance, to be the highest good and
that advocated the pursuit of pleasures that can be enjoyed in moderation.
It’s usually contrasted with Stoicism.

Hedorists
 Hedonism is the philosophy that pleasure is the most important pursuit of mankind, and
the only thing that is good for an individual. Hedonists, therefore, strive to maximise their total
pleasure (the net of any pleasure less any pain or suffering). They believe that pleasure is
the only good in life, and pain is the only evil, and our life's goal should be to maximize
pleasure and minimize pain.-philo site

Manichaeans

Manicheism is a defunct religion, born in Mesopotamia in the third

century adand last attested in the sixteenth century in China. Its founder, Mani
(c.216–76), had some familiarity with Judaism, Christianity, Zoroastrianism
and Buddhism, and aimed to supplant them all. He taught a form of dualism,
influenced by earlier Gnostics: God is opposed by forces of darkness; they,
not God, created human beings, who nevertheless contain particles of light
which can be released by abstemious living. Two points of contrast with
Catholic Christianity are particularly striking. First, in Manicheism, sinfulness is
the natural state of human beings (because of their creators), and does not
stem from Adam’s Fall. Second, the Manichean God did not create and does
not control the forces of darkness (although he will eventually triumph); hence
the problem of evil does not arise in as stark a form as it does for the all-
powerful Christian God.
Although Mani’s own missionary journeys took him eastwards, it was in the
Roman Empire to the west that the main impact of his teaching was first felt;
Augustine of Hippo was an adherent for nine years. The religion was
eventually suppressed in the Roman Empire, and driven east by the Arab
conquest of Mesopotamia. In the West, various Christian heresies were
loosely called Manichean throughout the Middle Ages.

eindeer Herder's answer is good. I'd just like to continue the link between
Manichaeism and Christianity. The reason why the two belief systems clashed was
that Mani clained he was the continuer and completer of the work begun and carried
on by Noah, Abraham, Zoroaster, Buddha and Jesus. He ended up crucified and his
followers were violently persecuted. Yes, Augustine was initially attracted to it, but
manichaeism denies God as the Creator so cannot be compatible with Christianity.
Over the centuries, as the church grew into the Catholic faith, it would accuse small
Christian groups who wouldn't bow to its power of manichaeism. One such group,
the Paulicians, were so hounded by Rome, they were scattered and driven into
political alliance with Islam, leading to the fall of Constantinople. So although there
might be little of manichaeism around today, it played a profound part in history.
Source(s):The Pilgrim Church by E.H. Broadbent (Pickering Classics) see index.