Archways: Western Civilization History Podcast

History of Leisure (384 BC - AD 2020)


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In this episode we discuss the history of thinking about leisure from Aristotle, Epicurus, Seneca, and Cicero to St. Paul, Gregory I, St. Benedict, Thomas Aquinas, Dante, and John Calvin to Schopenhauer and Nietzsche. Leisure was once seen as a time for debating philosophy or studying the universe, before giving way to slothful bread and circuses. Christian thought hit back hard against Roman excess, teaching leisure was a sinful waste of God's time. In modern times, thinkers are trying to discover what leisure is good and how much is too much. In the face of the AI revolution, will we choose a future of constant passive entertainment, or will we continue to find meaning in our leisure or at the very least more work to do?

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Archways: Western Civilization History PodcastBy Doug And Marie Archway