An Introduction to the Philosophy of Leisure

by Jason Holt

This book is a friendly and engaging introduction to the philosophy of leisure. Jason Holt frames the text around a novel definition of leisure as intrinsically motivated elective activities, which he defends throughout the text in comparison to other accounts of leisure. Beginning with Aristotle’s influential theory and following its monumental legacy in Western culture, this book also includes Asian, African, and Indigenous philosophies and traditions. Topics discussed include leisure in relation to concepts of time, consumerist vs. reflective leisure, play and games, the place of freedom in leisure, active vs. idle leisure, and what makes for authentic leisure. Along with coordinating philosophies from many different times and places on the same conceptual map, this book proposes a pluralist theory of how leisure fits into a meaningful and fulfilling life.

156 pages, Paperback

Published June 20, 2025

About the author

Jason Holt is a Canadian poet who lives in Nova Scotia and teaches at Acadia University. He received his Ph.D. in philosophy from Western University in 1998. His book The Nature of Consciousness was shortlisted for the 2005 CPA Book Prize. His interests include the history, poetry, and the philosophy of Sport—a topic he teaches at Acadia in the Kinesiology department.