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Holidays according to philosophers
19 august 2024
What do philosophers have to say about holidays ?
Holidays, a time for pause and rest, have intrigued several philosophers over time. While not all have specifically addressed the concept of holidays, many have reflected on related ideas such as leisure, rest, self-work, and the search for meaning in life.
Aristotle:
Aristotle saw leisure (scholé) as an essential condition for a philosophical life. In fact, the same word gave rise to the Latin "schola," which eventually led to "school" in English and "école" in French. For Aristotle, leisure was not simply free time but a moment of reflection and intellectual development. Holidays, in this perspective, could be seen as an opportunity for the individual to engage in contemplation and self-improvement.
Epicurus:
Epicurus advocated for a life of measured pleasure, where the absence of pain (ataraxia) and tranquility of the mind were essential. Holidays, from an Epicurean perspective, should be a time of simplicity and satisfaction of natural pleasures, away from excesses and unnecessary distractions.
Blaise Pascal:
Pascal, with his famous reflection on diversion, would have a critical view of holidays. For him, leisure and distractions often serve to divert humans from reflecting on their mortal condition. Thus, holidays could be seen as a trap that distances us from contemplating our human condition. However, if well used, they could also be a time to confront these deep questions.
René Descartes:
René Descartes, known for his cogito ("I think, therefore I am"), emphasized thought as the essence of human existence. For Descartes, holidays could be a time to exercise this thought more freely, away from daily distractions. It’s a time when the mind can detach from practical obligations to engage in meditation, intellectual exploration, or simply mental rest.
Friedrich Nietzsche:
Nietzsche valued the idea of self-overcoming (the Übermensch) and living intensely. For him, holidays might be seen not just as mere rest but as an opportunity to recharge and embrace life with more energy, in a spirit of celebrating existence.
Immanuel Kant:
Kant, with his moral rigor and categorical imperative, would likely see holidays as a period where the individual can practice moral autonomy by choosing wisely how to use this time. According to Kant, holidays should be a time of balance between pleasure and duty, where the individual continues to act according to moral principles even in a relaxed context.
Arthur Schopenhauer:
Schopenhauer, who viewed the world as essentially suffering, might see holidays as a temporary relief from the burden of existence. They would offer a respite from the inherent suffering of life, a momentary escape from the cycle of desires and frustrations.
Martin Heidegger:
Heidegger wrote extensively on the concept of being and how we exist in the world. Holidays, from a Heideggerian viewpoint, could be a time when the individual confronts their Dasein (being-there), facing the question of existence and authenticity. It’s an opportunity to reconnect with nature, step away from daily hustle, and reflect deeply on one’s existence.
Hannah Arendt:
Arendt wrote a lot about work, labor, and action in "The Human Condition." She differentiates labor, which is repetitive and tied to life’s necessities, from work, which produces lasting things. In this context, holidays could be interpreted as a time to escape the repetitive cycle of labor, allowing the individual to reconnect with more enriching or creative activities.
Albert Camus:
Camus, in "The Myth of Sisyphus," discusses the absurdity of the human condition but also the rebellion against this absurdity. Holidays, in this light, can represent a necessary pause to reflect on this absurdity, find meaning, or simply affirm one’s freedom against the routines imposed by society.
Jean-Paul Sartre:
Sartre, with his philosophy of existentialism, believed that man is condemned to be free, meaning he must constantly make choices that define his essence. Holidays, from a Sartrean perspective, are a time when the individual can confront their freedom, choosing how to live this time, away from social and professional pressures.
Simone de Beauvoir:
Simone de Beauvoir, as an existentialist, might see holidays as a time when the individual can engage in reflection on their condition, their future, and how they want to use their freedom to create meaning in their life.
Henri Bergson:
Bergson, with his distinction between mechanical time and lived time, might see holidays as a privileged moment where time is experienced more qualitatively, more intensely, away from the clock-driven routine of daily life. It’s a period where subjective time takes precedence, allowing the individual to reconnect with their inner flow of consciousness.
Michel Foucault:
Foucault explored power relations and how they shape our lives. Holidays, from a Foucauldian perspective, could be seen as a temporary suspension of the power structures that govern our daily existence. They offer a pause where the individual can momentarily escape social, institutional, and professional constraints and redefine their subjectivity.
Zygmunt Bauman:
Bauman, with his theory of liquid modernity, might see holidays as an expression of freedom and flexibility in an increasingly individualized and fragmented world. However, he might also criticize the fact that in a consumer society, holidays are often commodified, losing their potential for emancipation and true rest.
Erich Fromm:
Fromm, who wrote about the art of love and modern society, might see holidays as a time to practice what he called being rather than having. For Fromm, holidays could be an opportunity to focus on authentic relationships, love, and deep experiences, away from the materialistic pursuit of daily life.
These different perspectives show that holidays can be viewed from many philosophical angles, whether as a time for reflection, rest, or reconnecting with deeper aspects of human existence.
Each philosopher offers a unique way of considering this interval in life, whether it is used for contemplation, escape, or renewal.