Lessons from "Leisure: The Basis of Culture" by Josef Pieper.

This book challenges our contemporary work-centric culture and the idea of “total work,” where every aspect of life is dominated by the ethos of work and productivity. Pieper argues that this shift has led to a loss of meaning and a neglect of the liberal arts, which traditionally has been a space for leisure and the cultivation of individual freedom.

Josef Pieper was a professor of philosophy at University of Munster. He was schooled specifically the Greek philosophy and Thomas Aquinas, law and sociology.

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00:00 - Excerpt and background

04:30 - Our work-centric culture vs. leisure

07:10 - Individual freedom comes leisure

13:30 - When work becomes a religion, leisure makes no sense

16:00 - Hyper-productive state is at odds with enlightenment

19:15 - Servile arts vs. liberal arts

24:30 - Leisure is only possible when you know yourself

33:00 - Crave out a time for leisure

38:00 - Virtues perfect you so that you can act effortlessly

40:10 - Challenge