Bertrand Russell and Leisure
Examine the different definitions of leisure and the purposes it has served throughout history to come up with your own definition of leisure and define the purposes you think it should for individuals and/or societies. How does your view relate to what Russell presents about leisure in his text “In Praise of Idleness”? In the rest of your essay, discuss to what extent Russell’s ideas about work and leisure are still valid in the contemporary society.
Bertrand Russell was a British philosopher, mathematician and historian. He published many essays and books which are related to mathematics, education system, leisure, socialism and religion. He criticized capitalism, Stalinist totalitarianism, long work hours and religions. In one of his essays, “In Praise of Idleness”, he mentioned that people should work only 4 hours a day, everybody should have enough leisure time, leisure time should be used intelligently, people should spend their money instead of saving and work should be distributed with modern technique.
Leisure is a necessity for people to improve themselves, it should serve useful purposes like acquiring knowledge and personal development. Leisure may include fun, however, fun without improving or learning is the waste of time. According to the Russell, leisure time should be used intelligently. “To be able to fill leisure intelligently is the last product of civilization, and at present very few people have reached this level.” He says. His viewpoint about leisure and mine are remarkably similar. I totally agree with him, leisure should not be filled without any plan or system and people should do useful things during leisure time. Moreover, “The best intelligence test is what we do with our leisure.” Laurence J. Peter says. (Esar, 434) Many people spend their leisure time by resting or watching videos which do not help them to acquire knowledge. Resting is helpful, but the important thing is how people rest. For example, people should rest by
Bertrand Russell was a British philosopher, mathematician and historian. He published many essays and books which are related to mathematics, education system, leisure, socialism and religion. He criticized capitalism, Stalinist totalitarianism, long work hours and religions. In one of his essays, “In Praise of Idleness”, he mentioned that people should work only 4 hours a day, everybody should have enough leisure time, leisure time should be used intelligently, people should spend their money instead of saving and work should be distributed with modern technique.
Leisure is a necessity for people to improve themselves, it should serve useful purposes like acquiring knowledge and personal development. Leisure may include fun, however, fun without improving or learning is the waste of time. According to the Russell, leisure time should be used intelligently. “To be able to fill leisure intelligently is the last product of civilization, and at present very few people have reached this level.” He says. His viewpoint about leisure and mine are remarkably similar. I totally agree with him, leisure should not be filled without any plan or system and people should do useful things during leisure time. Moreover, “The best intelligence test is what we do with our leisure.” Laurence J. Peter says. (Esar, 434) Many people spend their leisure time by resting or watching videos which do not help them to acquire knowledge. Resting is helpful, but the important thing is how people rest. For example, people should rest by