In Praise of Idleness

A collection of fifteen essays on work, politics, education and ideas, published in 1935 in the shadow of the Depression and the rise of fascism. The title essay, first printed in 1932, argues that belief in the virtue of work has done great harm. Modern production could let everyone work about four hours a day; instead some are overworked while others are left unemployed. Russell traces the work ethic to the interests of ruling classes and argues that leisure, well used, makes possible art, science, kindness and a civilised life. Other essays defend "useless" knowledge pursued for its own sake, discuss architecture and social questions, examine money and gold in "The Modern Midas", trace the intellectual ancestry of fascism, compare communism and fascism and reject both, and make the case for socialism. The later pieces turn to youthful cynicism, modern uniformity, education and discipline, Stoicism and mental health, comets, and the soul.

Its argument for shorter working hours and the value of leisure reads as if written for current debates about work, automation and burnout.