On leisure

Aristotle believed leisure to be the ultimate goal of human life. To our modern sensibilities this may seem odd, but here it is important to perhaps think deeper.

The word school traces its origins to the Greek word schole. Schole translating to leisure. I quite appreciate this framing. It requires a certain level of freedom to pursue an education and we who have received one are so lucky to have been able to do so.

I appreciate seeing the implications of this idea. It is unfortunate, but many of history’s examples of leisure are often built on the oppression of others. However, I don’t believe this is a necessary condition.

Assuming this is true, we can begin to stumble on an exciting world of possibilities. We can enter a model where those with the soul of an artist would be fully freed to practice their art, those with the soul of a craftsman their craft, and those with the soul of a scientist their science.

I believe this to be a fascinating possibility to which we must remain open.