An Introduction to the Philosophy of Leisure

This book introduces undergraduate students to the philosophy of leisure and includes discussion of perspectives from Western and non-Western philosophical traditions.

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.