Quite a brilliant piece. Thought provoking and personally inspiring.
In my college years, there was a seminar on the social history of work. I once asked the professor if she should also address the concept of leisure, as work and leisure were inextricably entwined. She just gave me a blank stare. She truly didn't get it.
Instead of leisure, I would call it rest. I find my mind can better work out a problem, when it is well rested, not just in sleep, but in thinking about something else. When I studied nursing, I took language and history for electives, not because they were easy, but because they allowed the part of my brain occupied with health science to rest.
Cannot agree with Sertillanges' idea of needing to be whole in body for the intellectual life - some of the most brilliant writers, artists, and musicians were very sickly, through no fault of their own. TB was without cure until the 20th century, and no doubt Alexander Pope, R. L. Stevenson, John Keats, Frederick Chopin, Aubrey Beardsley, and others would have lived longer and been healthier without the infection, but they were brilliant anyway. For those of us who have chronic health conditions, the intellectual life is often all that is left.
Pieper adopts “leisure” as his primary term because of it’s ancient use, but he includes in that the other terms “rest” and “contemplation.” As you’ve pointed out, other kinds of activity energize you, not because they were “productive” as if that were your goal, but because you focused on them as an act of enjoyment, which is near the core of what “rest” is.
As for Sertillanges, I don’t think he’s saying every individual must be in peak physical condition, but that the tendency of those with an intellectual vocation is to neglect their physical health as a non-issue. Those who have limitations because of birth or illness are not in view for him; each must do their best to grow into whatever their limits may be.
Thanks for a good joint review. I haven't read the Sertillanges, but the Pieper is, in my opinion, the very best book on liberal education. (Personal side note: my dad once met Pieper--interviewed him on a summer research trip to Germany. Pretty neat, I've always thought.)
He did... though I would have to do a bit of searching to remember where. He has written quite a bit more than his son! If I had to guess, I'd say it was probably in one of his earlier books (The Theory and Practice of Virtue). But I could be wrong.
A charming treatment of two of my favorite works! Thanks for writing it. I couldn’t help but recall the chapter in Sertillanges (i.e., The Time of Work) where he’s discusses not leaving either leisure/rest or work to chance. They should be complementary, planned, and guarded. Cheers!
Quite a brilliant piece. Thought provoking and personally inspiring.
In my college years, there was a seminar on the social history of work. I once asked the professor if she should also address the concept of leisure, as work and leisure were inextricably entwined. She just gave me a blank stare. She truly didn't get it.
Thank you for the kind words, Drake!
As I said in the essay: I don’t think I’m over exaggerating when I say we’ve lost a meaningful category for rest.
Instead of leisure, I would call it rest. I find my mind can better work out a problem, when it is well rested, not just in sleep, but in thinking about something else. When I studied nursing, I took language and history for electives, not because they were easy, but because they allowed the part of my brain occupied with health science to rest.
Cannot agree with Sertillanges' idea of needing to be whole in body for the intellectual life - some of the most brilliant writers, artists, and musicians were very sickly, through no fault of their own. TB was without cure until the 20th century, and no doubt Alexander Pope, R. L. Stevenson, John Keats, Frederick Chopin, Aubrey Beardsley, and others would have lived longer and been healthier without the infection, but they were brilliant anyway. For those of us who have chronic health conditions, the intellectual life is often all that is left.
Thanks for reading and commenting, Holly.
Pieper adopts “leisure” as his primary term because of it’s ancient use, but he includes in that the other terms “rest” and “contemplation.” As you’ve pointed out, other kinds of activity energize you, not because they were “productive” as if that were your goal, but because you focused on them as an act of enjoyment, which is near the core of what “rest” is.
As for Sertillanges, I don’t think he’s saying every individual must be in peak physical condition, but that the tendency of those with an intellectual vocation is to neglect their physical health as a non-issue. Those who have limitations because of birth or illness are not in view for him; each must do their best to grow into whatever their limits may be.
Thanks for a good joint review. I haven't read the Sertillanges, but the Pieper is, in my opinion, the very best book on liberal education. (Personal side note: my dad once met Pieper--interviewed him on a summer research trip to Germany. Pretty neat, I've always thought.)
Thank you kindly for reading and commenting, Professor.
(And that’s a great side note! Did your dad end up using what he gathered from the Pieper interview?)
He did... though I would have to do a bit of searching to remember where. He has written quite a bit more than his son! If I had to guess, I'd say it was probably in one of his earlier books (The Theory and Practice of Virtue). But I could be wrong.
Looks like you’re right! The UND Press website has Pieper listed as one of the figures your dad draws on. So cool.
Quick work on your part! Thanks for that (and for thus validating my filial piety in the process).
Thought provoking authors linked well with crafted prose.
A charming treatment of two of my favorite works! Thanks for writing it. I couldn’t help but recall the chapter in Sertillanges (i.e., The Time of Work) where he’s discusses not leaving either leisure/rest or work to chance. They should be complementary, planned, and guarded. Cheers!
I’ve never had my work called “charming” before: thank you for that! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
And yes, although leisure isn’t his focus, it is nevertheless part of his calculus. It’s subtle, but it’s there all throughout his book.
Beautiful piece!
Thank you for reading and for the kind words!
Wonderful
I’m glad you thought so, Brooke. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment.
Actually returning to this today because I can't get it out of my head. Going to print and meditate on some of these themes. Thanks again.
Wow. I’m glad to know I was able to provide a door into this for you. I hope your reflection is fruitful.