Idleness: A Philosophical Essay

by Brian O'Connor

The first book to challenge modern philosophy’s case against idleness, revealing why the idle state is one of true freedomFor millennia, idleness and laziness have been regarded as vices. We're all expected to work to survive and get ahead, and devoting energy to anything but labor and self-improvement can seem like a luxury or a moral failure. Far from questioning this conventional wisdom, modern philosophers have worked hard to develop new reasons to denigrate idleness. In Idleness, the first book to challenge modern philosophy's portrayal of inactivity, Brian O'Connor argues that the case against an indifference to work and effort is flawed--and that idle aimlessness may instead allow for the highest form of freedom.Idleness explores how some of the most influential modern philosophers drew a direct connection between making the most of our humanity and avoiding laziness. Idleness was dismissed as contrary to the need people have to become autonomous and make whole, integrated beings of themselves (Kant); to be useful (Kant and Hegel); to accept communal norms (Hegel); to contribute to the social good by working (Marx); and to avoid boredom (Schopenhauer and de Beauvoir). O'Connor throws doubt on all these arguments, presenting a sympathetic vision of the inactive and unserious that draws on more productive ideas about idleness, from ancient Greece through Robert Burton's Anatomy of Melancholy, Schiller and Marcuse's thoughts about the importance of play, and recent critiques of the cult of work. A thought-provoking reconsideration of productivity for the twenty-first century, Idleness shows that, from now on, no theory of what it means to have a free mind can exclude idleness from the conversation.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Sociology

211 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2018

Reviews

[Scott Lupo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was a delight to read. So many great discussions on the details of idleness. First off, what is the definition of idleness? And how do philosophers connect it to a moral discussion? I loved the layout of the book by presenting arguments against idleness from prominent philosophers like Kant, Hegel, Sartre, Marx, Schopenhauer, Schiller, and Marcuse and then finding the holes and contradictions. The discussions on play and freedom are perfectly mind-bending and contrarian. A ton of information to ruminate.

[Cobertizo · Rating 4 out of 5]

"El argumentario de Marx es muy poderoso para aquellos que son capaces de imaginar alegremente la perspectiva de una vida en trabajo donde hay sobresfuerzo virtuoso y agotamiento intachable. Para ellos no puede existir la utopía de la ociosidad. La calma edénica es sustituida por un yo entre otros que encuentran placer en la industria (...) Marx quiere motivarnos convenciéndonos de que el disfrute visible y comunal de nuestros poderes es el único placer verdadero, negando, por la supervivencia de su propia teoría, que exista placer en retirarse. Intenta desprestigiar este placer poniéndolo a la altura de los vicios de un mundo distorsionado por el capitalismo. La experiencia liberada de esa distorsión nos espera en un futuro nuevo. La ociosidad es la enemiga de ese futuro. No obstante, es imposible que el ocioso sea el único que se pregunte si es inteligente renunciar a los bienes menores del descanso y la felicidad, entre otros, en nombre de los esfuerzos del trabajo que nos exige una idea especulativa de sociabilidad superior"

[dhut · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book is interesting, but the argument for idleness is defended by describing how arguments against idleness fail to fully understand or represent the concept. While going through the different arguments against idleness was interesting, the book doesn't explain how idleness stands on its own. This was a fun-ish read, but I wish there was a positive account for idleness, and I likely won't pick it up again unless I face a career or life crisis.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

What does it mean to be idle? Is it lazy? Is it wrong? Does the idle mind “macerate and vexeth itselfe with griefes” and “preye upon its own bowels”? Or is it quite the opposite? Does idleness allow for fruitful contemplation and the “highest form of freedom”? To decide, check out Idleness by Brian O’Connor and challenge the notion that “the thing of beauty is born of strife.”

[جاسم كلمد · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Idleness is a complex phenomenon whose meaning varies, sometimes quite radically, across contexts."

"Idleness is experienced activity that operates according to no guiding purpose. The absence of purpose explains its restful and pleasurable qualities. Idleness is a feeling of noncompletion and drift."

[Taina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Odotin kiinnostavaa pohdiskelua joutilaisuudesta filosofian näkökulmasta, sain raskassoutuisen historiakatsauksen, jonka loppuosan pompin läpi. Voimavarani lukijana ovat myös hieman vähissä ja tämä teos osui huonoon ajankohtaan.

[Mark Keleghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compelling account of how the concept of personal autonomy grew hand in hand with the notion of action rather than idleness, as well as the stresses that has placed upon us as Subjects.

[Lana · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5. Supongo que una experiencia de lectura no es tanto el libro en sí como quien lo lee, y en este caso creo que yo no estaba preparada para algo tan denso, teórico y lleno de referencias a otros pensadores. No digo que el ensayo esté mal, en absoluto, pero tal vez me ha faltado a mí la preparación filosófica suficiente para abordar la lectura o el estado de ánimo adecuado para los academicismos. Lo cierto es que pensaba que sería algo más dinámico, adaptado a todos los públicos y divulgativo, y se me ha hecho un tanto pesado y complejo por momentos. Casi diría que me han interesado más y me han resultado más potentes las ideas de los autores en contra de la ociosidad que los contraargumentos que el autor de este libro propone (no porque me convenzan más las ideas, sino porque las he visto mejor expresadas y más hiladas, de alguna manera). De todas formas, sí que me quedo con dos puntos de O'Connor que me han llamado más la atención:
-La ociosidad no tiene que entenderse necesariamente como no hacer nada, sino que puede ser también hacer cosas que no están reconocidas en las prescripciones de la clase dominante, actividades que no se entienden como significativas.
-"La defensa de la ociosidad (...) señala hacia un en apariencia implausible escenario donde los fenómenos de la utilidad, las identidades sociales competitivas y la disciplina a largo plazo ya no forman los contornos de nuestra experiencia."

[Eunice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read most of this for school -- had to write counterarguments against the author through some points made for my essay hahaha so I can't say I agree with everything -- but an intriguing read and a good introduction to the philosophy of idleness, presenting a point of view that highlights points master philosophers have missed.

[Matthew Noe · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Mills College Library]

306.4812 O183 2018

[Meaghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. More of a historical overview.

[Daniel Santamaría · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un poco denso la verdad para ser un ensayo, creo que podia haber sido un articulo

[Cydney Funk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the coverage of Marx's, Schiller, and Marcuse to be particularly useful.

[Aaron Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

An essay in the best sense—meanders through several exciting discussions on idleness while keeping the question of freedom in focus. I wish I had a whole library of philosophy books like this one.

[Vee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 3,5
Nice introduction to the topic. As a person who doesn't really know any philosophy it would have been nice if every philosopher would have been introduced with their whole name.

[Lori Kresse · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is no idleness when reading this book, only much hard work. I was expecting something different, and something less plodding and less academic, thus the two stars. I kept skimming and reading forward, hoping to settle on something worthwhile, but was disappointed. Maybe more careful readers than I will get more out of it.

[· · Rating 3 out of 5]

(10 January, 2024)

A very dry read, somewhat dense but I think I understood most of it, from awful mannered idleness to pleasant voluntary idleness, with everything in between.

O'Connor's version of idleness borders on a Zen state of mind, which is only ever given lip service here in the West. It is disillusioning thinking how doing nothing is viewed by so many people. I absolutely adore the looks I get when answering a big fat "Thank you!" when people call me lazy (almost always people shackled to the machinery of Capitalism), it is both hilarious and super sad.

While no slave to public opinion, some pursuits are worthwhile and I happily engage in them - on my own terms. But there is no pressure, and no accompanying misery, to impress anyone. My philosophy in life is succinctly expressed as

"... can't win, don't try."
- Bart Simpson

Pleasantly, idleness is the main subject here but there are many tangents included that enhance the reading experience. Well done.