011. Work, Leisure and Fulfilment

Work, Leisure and Fulfilment

In this episode, Ezechiel and Andy continue their discussion of topics from E. F. Schumacher's famous 1973 book "Small is Beautiful". We unpack the main theses of the book that relate to the effects of technology on work, leisure and meaning and look whether they are still valid 50 years later.

Join us for an hour-long dose of your Daily Philosophy and explore with us one of the most influential books of the 70s.

Brought to you by https://daily-philosophy.com.
Music: Nightlife by Michael Kobrin, from: https://pixabay.com/music.

00:01:02 E.F. Schumacher: Small is Beautiful
00:01:15 Schumacher on developmental aid
00:05:18 Is developmental aid colonialist?
00:08:54 Localisation instead of globalisation
00:10:56 Do we always know what’s good for us?
00:13:19 Do technologies force us to use them?
00:16:19 Frankfurt: Second-order desires
00:22:58 Does technology deprive us of meaning?
00:23:19 E.F. Schumacher: Small is Beautiful
00:23:45 Buddhist economics
00:25:55 Do we naturally enjoy working?
00:28:06 Luddism: rejection of technologies
00:30:02 Is an easier life always good?
00:35:03 David Graeber (2018): Bullshit Jobs
00:38:47 Unemployment and shorter work
00:48:41 The imperative to be productive
00:49:42 Erich Fromm (1900-1980)
00:50:30 Different kinds of leisure activities
00:53:37 Virtue ethics
00:53:54 What are “valuable” leisure activities?
01:03:13 Blaise Pascal (1623-1662)
01:04:11 Epicurus: Trouble in the soul (see article on daily-philosophy.com!)

Philosophers and theories mentioned:

00:01:02 E.F. Schumacher: Small is Beautiful
00:16:19 Frankfurt: Second-order desires
00:23:45 Buddhist economics
00:35:03 David Graeber (2018): Bullshit Jobs
00:49:42 Erich Fromm (1900-1980)
01:03:13 Blaise Pascal (1623-1662)
01:04:11 Epicurus: Trouble in the soul (see article on daily-philosophy.com!)

Next episode: Technology and Freedom

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