Leisure: The Basis of Culture

In his book, Leisure, the Basis of Culture, Pieper makes the claim that the reconstruction of Western Culture demands a rebirth of the notion of leisure. Leisure is distinctive from the state of inactivity or acedia, because it is based in festival and an affirmation of the world for what the world truly is (i.e., a creation). This takes place most distinctively in the festival, which is founded on the concept of worship, which is the recognition that man is dependent on God. What then does it mean to be at leisure, and what is the “act” that is most appropriate to leisure? Contemplation.The modern world has lost much of what is contained in the notion of leisure. It is strictly opposed to what the ancients called acedia. The worker type, who finds his very meaning in the usefulness he serves to society, can only identify leisure with a sense of idleness and inactivity. Acedia is precisely this lack of doing, but the notion goes deeper still. Acedia is fundamentally a despair of ever accomplishing that which one is meant to be. It is a giving up in the effort to be who one is. This can lurk behind even in the most physically satisfying of exertions.In order to understand leisure then, Pieper asks what is diametrically opposed to acedia. The modern man would have us believe that it is the industriousness of the worker contributing to the good of the society. But if acedia is fundamentally a denial of man’s existence as man, then its opposite must be a fundamental affirmation of who man is. Pieper turns to Thomas for the startling statement that acedia, so often understood as the man who fails to do any work, is not a resting per se, but is a very sin against the command of rest. Acedia then is a restlessness that is opposed to the very spirit of leisure.After this contrast, Pieper attempts to provide a concept of leisure to the reader. Leisure then, in the first place is a stillness of spirit, an opening of the mind to receive. It is secondly, opposed to the idea of work as effort, for it takes place in a sense of celebration, of approval of the world. The highest expression of this celebration is the festival. Thirdly, leisure must be understood as opposed to the concept of break-from-work. A break is meant to afford man the ability to continue working. The break is fundamentally for the sake of work. Leisure, though truly refreshing, derives this freshness from the very fact that it is for its own sake. It is only accidental that man is better able to work after being at-leisure. Leisure is not about making the worker a better functionary, but about making him more human. In participating in leisure, something of the human is left behind and a spark of the divine is achieved.Leisure is found first and foremost in worship (i.e., in the Holy Mass), but there are various other means of Leisure in which we can rightfully participate on Sunday. Examples include the other points on this list.Those who would like to gain insights from this book but who don't have time to read the full thing should see the book "Catholic Book Summaries" by Matthew Plese which has a summary of this book in it.

I've visited this book a few times only within the last year. Pieper is easily one the the most austue and beguiling authors I've read. His synthetic clarity and poignant insight are at once intellectually stimulating and personally uplifting. If you want a book that both serves to shatter the monotonous lense created by a functionalitic, production-driven worldview and impels the human being towards what is highest and greatest in an encounter with reality, pick this up. Both the Kindle e-book and the paperback are good investments. But consider both: one to peruse when there's nothing else better on the Kindle and the other to adorn your shelf for years to come!

Purchased the book for school. Good for the price.

Great book.

Pieper has a good perspective from the Cold War era in Germany watching the Fascist and the Communist forces around WW2, but more important is observations of work becoming all consuming of humans even in the West. Leisure is not beer, boats and blondes, but he means time of real celebration aside from servile labor based on recognizing our place in creation and time set aside to celebrate the creator. From perspectives of Aristotle, Aquinas and forward, Pieper surveys the change in culture in the industrial age.

I certainly identified when he mentioned the worker barely having enough time to sleep before his next shift not worrying at all about leisure. I felt that. But leisure isn't that important. Like any tool, it has its purpose and is best used by those who know how to wield it.

Reading this brief book was a life-changing experience for me. Pieper, a philosopher in the tradition of St. Thomas Aquinas, leads the reader out of the barren world of endless busy-ness, direction-less activity, and enslavement to work, by revealing the crucial significance of leisure. Leisure is not at all idleness. It is contemplation of the wonder of the world around us and of the God who created all that is. This book is very important for those of us who are drowning in the frenzied, shallow, and ultimately meaningless world of purposeless work and soulless materialism. Pieper opens up to the reader the crucial importance of leisure, which is the key to discovering the wonder and purpose of our universe and the One who made it. Reading this book is a life-changing experience, and a powerful antidote to the soulless, frenzied chaos that dominates modern life. Leisure is not a mere vacation from work; it is the key to understanding why we exist. This is not an easy work--no masterpiece is--but it is well worth the effort it takes to understand the lessons Pieper teaches, lessons that will change your life.

Our son, Chris, recently read this book and loved it. Since I've had it on my "to read" list for many years, I decided to give it a go.As I say in my title, Pieper is not talking about leisure in the way that most people think. All I will say here is that leisure relates to school, learning, and having time to ponder what really matters.Most Americans don't value the ancient idea (and ideal) of leisure. We are driven, distracted, and intoxicated with the tangible signs of success. We were created for so much more than these trivial pursuits.Let Pieper show you the way forward!

In these days of obsessive overwork being glorified, timely reminder of the perils of lack of leisure for Divine Worship & other cultural activities, which are not deemed economically productive.

This is worth the read for anyone interested in the relationship between the emerging sense of the culture of Total Work - where everything is measure by its productivity and the concept of leisure - not as indolence but rather a reverence for pursuing a muse-like interest.

A superb and clearly written piece on the importance of leisure, culture and contemplation in a materialistic society. Very timely, even though written more than 70 years ago.

A short and incredibly deep and prophetic text on the evolution of human condition and the role of Philosophy. You cant' miss it if you want to understand what's happening to human work, education and society.