Leisure : the basis of culture ; including The philosophical act

One of the most important philosophy titles published in the twentieth century, Joseph Pieper's *Leisure, the Basis of Culture* is more significant, even more crucial than it was when it first appeared fifty years ago. Pieper shows that Greeks understood and valued leisure, as did the medieval Europeans. He points out that religion can be born only in leisure-a leisure that allows time for the contemplation of the nature of God. Leisure has been, and always will be, the first foundation of any culture. He maintains that our bourgeois world of total labor has vanquished leisure, and issues a startling warning: Unless we regain the art of silence and insight, the ability for nonactivity, unless we substitute true leisure for our hectic amusements, we will destroy our culture-and ourselves. These astonishing essays contradict all our pragmatic and puritanical conceptions about labor and leisure; Joseph Pieper demolishes the twentieth-century cult of "work" as he predicts its destructive consequences. translation of Musse und Keit and Was heisst Philosophieren? EPUB is Ignatius Press ed. (Alexander Dru's transl.), but St. Augustine's Press's is a newer translation. * * * I was thinking of the title of this book during the present COVID-19 pandemic, how more people are forced to be leisurely and how, consequently, *Deo volente* , a new cultural renaissance will occur. The reason so many people are overworked is, in part, Protestantism, but also feeding people's insatiable greed, concupiscence, and [frenetic intemperance](https://isidore.co/calibre#panel=book_details&book_id=5155). COVID-19 is forcing people to straighten out their priorities. Technology is there to free up our time and give us leisure, not to feed our base apetites. This work contains some interesting quotes from St. Thomas Aquinas regarding the relationship between leisure (σχoλή = *scola* = *Schule* = *school* ; cf. 1 Cor. 7:5: " *...ut* *vacetis* *orationi* " and Ps. 45:11: " *Vacate* *, et videte quoniam ego sum Deus* ") and contemplation; cf. "[ *otium sanctum*](http://www.corpusthomisticum.org/it/index.age?results.pageSize=50&text=%3Dotium+%3Dsanctum)". *Neg-otio* (ά−σχoλία) means "negation of *otium* ". PDF p. 38: "Because of the leisure of contemplation [ *otium contemplationis* ] the Scripture says of the Divine Wisdom itself that it ”plays all the time, plays throughout the world” [[ *Proverbs* 8, 30](http://drbo.org/cgi-bin/d?b=drl&bk=22&ch=8&l=30-#x)]." [[ *Commentary on the Sentences* I, d. 2 ( *expositio textus* )](https://aquinas.cc/la/en/~Sent.I.D2.Ex.2).] (used in Masses for Our Lady, such as that of the fesat of her Immaculate Conception). St. Thomas quotes St. Augustine [*XIX de Civ. Dei* cap. 19](https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/120119.htm#note121292), on the relation between active and contemplative, which reminds me of St. Benedict's *ora et labora* : > holy leisure is longed for by the love of truth; but it is the necessity of love to undertake requisite business. > [lit.: "The charity of the truth seeks holy leisure; the necessity of charity takes up just business."] > ( *otium sanctum quaerit caritas veritatis; negotium iustum suscipit necessitas caritatis.* ) One of the most important philosophy titles published in the twentieth century, Josef Pieper's Leisure, the Basis of Culture is more significant, even more crucial, today than it was when it first appeared more than fifty years ago. This edition also includes his work The Philosophical Act. Leisure is an attitude of the mind and a condition of the soul that fosters a capacity to perceive the reality of the world. Pieper shows that the Greeks and medieval Europeans, understood the great value and importance of leisure. He also points out that religion can be born only in leisure — a leisure that allows time for the contemplation of the nature of God. Leisure has been, and always will be, the first foundation of any culture. Pieper maintains that our bourgeois world of total labor has vanquished leisure, and issues a startling warning: Unless we regain the art of silence and insight, the ability for non-activity, unless we substitute true leisure for our hectic amusements, we will destroy our culture — and ourselves. "Pieper's message for us is plain... The idolatry of the machine, the worship of mindless know-how, the infantile cult of youth and the common mind — all this points to our peculiar leadership in the drift toward the slave society... Pieper's profound insights are impressive and even formidable." — New York Times Book Review "Pieper has subjects involved in everyone's life; he has theses that are so counter to the prevailing trends as to be sensational; and he has a style that is memorably clear and direct." — Chicago Tribune "This book is a gem. No other book its size will teach us so many true things about everything we need to know to understand what and why we are or about how to live a life worth living." — James V. Schall, SJ, from the Foreword Josef Pieper is one of the most renowned and popular philosophers of the 20th century. He wrote dozens of titles on all aspects of philosophy and living, including Only the Lover Sings, Guide to Thomas Aquinas, Hope and History, In Defense of Philosophy , and In Search of the Sacred. Spiritual & Religion One Of The Most Important Philosophy Titles Published In The Twentieth Century, Joseph Pieper's Leisure, The Basis Of Culture Is More Significant, Even More Crucial Than It Was When It First Appeared Fifty Years Ago. Pieper Shows That Greeks Understood And Valued Leisure, As Did The Medieval Europeans. He Points Out That Religion Can Be Born Only In Leisure. Leisure That Allows Time For The Contemplation Of The Nature Of God. Leisure Has Been, And Always Will Be, The First Foundation Of Any Culture. He Maintains That Our Bourgeois World Of Total Labor Has Vanquished Leisure, And Issues A Startling Warning: Unless We Regain The Art Of Silence And Insight, The Ability For Nonactivity, Unless We Substitute True Leisure For Our Hectic Amusements, We Will Destroy Our Culture And Ourselves. These Astonishing Essays Contradict All Our Pragmatic And Puritanical Conceptions About Labor And Leisure; Joseph Pieper Demolishes The Twentieth-century Cult Of Work As He Predicts Its Destructive Consequences. Leisure The Basis Of Culture -- The Philosophical Act. Josef Pieper ; Translated By Alexander Dru. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. One of the most important philosophy titles published in the twentieth century, Joseph Pieper's Leisure, the Basis of Culture is more significant, even more crucial than it was when it first appeared fifty years ago. Pieper shows that Greeks understood and valued leisure, as did the medieval Europeans. He points out that religion can be born only in leisure. Leisure that allows time for the contemplation of the nature of God. Leisure has been, and always will be, the first foundation of any culture. He maintains that our bourgeois world of total labor has vanquished leisure, and issues a startling warning: Unless we regain the art of silence and insight, the ability for nonactivity, unless we substitute true leisure for our hectic amusements, we will destroy our cultureCand ourselves. These astonishing essays contradict all our pragmatic and puritanical conceptions about labor and leisure; Joseph Pieper demolishes the twentieth-century cult of Awork as he predicts its destructive consequences.