FINAL ESSAY Part 1 ( Choosing Topic) Unit 6

FINAL ESSAY

Part 1 ( Choosing Topic) Unit 6

Part 2 ( Brief Outline ) Unit 7

Make one document and submit at both places

Select a Theme

Differences in ancient and modern perspectives about the relationship of “leisure” with happiness.

John Dewey’s criticism of Aristotle’s ideas on leisure and education.

Joseph Pieper’s criticism of modern day “leisure”.

Sebastian Grazia’s criticism of modern day “leisure”.

Select one or two topics studied in the course and argue how you could incorporate that

into a daily leisure practice to boost happiness and well-being.

NOTE:

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SUGGESTIONS

1. DIFFERENCES IN MODERN AND ANCIENT CONCEPTIONS REGARDING USE OF LEISURE AND ITS IMPACT ON HAPPINESS

Differences in ancient and modern perspectives on “leisure”.

Theme	Aristotle( ancient)	Epicurus ( ancient)	Modern Perspective
Ways of attainment	Happiness can be attained by using leisure time for intellectual and moral development	Happiness can be attained by pursuing simple, necessary pleasures.	Happiness can be attained by many ways- each varying according to the individual
Objects of Happiness	Passive ways- friendship, music etc. Active ways- Philosophical and political discourse	Avoid vain pleasures and desires and follow necessary pleasures in a balanced manner	Attain pleasure/happiness through any object that motivates you intrinsically- moral or immoral
Perception of happiness	What is largely perceived by society as good is good after all !	Pursuit of real freedom and necessary pleasures is happiness	Anything that gives you perceived freedom makes you happy !

John Dewey’s criticism of Aristotle’s ideas on leisure and education.

John Dewey criticized Aristotle’s division of education underlying in his psychological division of rational and irrational people.

Dewey believes that education should be such that no one is exclusively meant for labour only- liberal arts should be affordable for all.

Unjust division- will produce workers and leaders.

Killing of Imagination/free thought- discovering new possibilities

Imbalanced society : Rich would shy from manual work.

Incorporate Noam Chomsky’s ideas as well.

Joseph Pieper’s criticism of modern day “leisure”.

Pieper has defended the Greek idea of leisure but suspects its manifestation in today’s world

Role of “leisure” in building intellectual and moral culture of a nation

Revisiting relationship of “work” and “leisure”.

Shift from “total work ethic” to “leisure ethic”.

Emptiness of modern “leisure” styles and dire need of religious celebration.

Endless consumption and egoism in modern day humans

Need of dialogue over cultivating free time for everyone and making them able to use it productively.

Sebastian Grazia’s criticism of modern day “leisure”.

Protestant work ethic( hard work and simplicity) has to be challenged for creating leisure time.

the Renaissance attitude of being masters of the environment was the chief reason behind this culture of overworking.

the American pioneer attitude, too was a reason.

and finally, the advertising industry’s creation of an infinite consumer lifestyle has to be countered.

Make one document only

Topic

Rationale 1

Rationale 2

Rationale 3

Concerns regarding references, building premise, rational arguments etc.