Of Leisure

Of Leisure is about the rational use of free time, by which one can still actively help humanity by engaging in broader questions about nature and the universe. Seneca interprets the term "Otio" as representing something more than free time or leisure. He understood it to be leisure used in the service of the community, in intellectual pursuits. In the book Seneca debates the appropriate life for a stoic philosopher. He discusses the school's standpoint that wise men will become involved in public affairs unless something stops them.

Seneca explains the positions of the founders of stoicism Zeno, Cleanthes and Chrysippus making a strong contrast with the teachings of Epicurus: "The two sects of Epicureans and Stoics differ widely in most respects, and on this point among the rest, nevertheless, each of them consigns us to leisure, although by a different road. Epicurus says, 'The wise man will not take part in politics, except upon some special occasion;' Zeno says, 'The wise man will take part in politics, unless prevented by some special circumstance'."

In the end, leisure, for the philosopher, is not just a matter of having time to rest and engage in relaxing activities. Leisure is a crucial aspect of life itself, without which we have neither time nor energy to think, and are thus forced by circumstances to live a less useful and fulfilling life than otherwise.