Underestimating The Philosophical Nature Of Leisure

A rationalist is not "above" leisure, relaxation, simple pleasures, or even appreciating or dwelling on some of the more genuinely trivial components of human existence.  That is not to say that leisure itself is in any way a trivial part of human life.  Without it, one might lack the motivation to engage other parts of life or lose a source of genuine joy and comfort, and leisure, including time spent with entertainment, friends, or prayer, can also be a source of explicitly philosophical stimulation.  The fact of the matter is that, with both leisure and truly minor things, there is much philosophical knowledge to gain from rationalistically reflecting on even things of less centrality or significance than something like logical axioms or the existence of an uncaused cause.

Some treat leisure as a small thing to be tossed aside without ever truly considering its scope, ramifications, and usefulness for abstract thought.  After all, it even provides its own subject to discover logical truths about--without which there would be fewer logical truths to discover and savor.  On a more personal level, it offers potential for rejuvenation, something to bond with companions over, and something that can prompt or magnify introspection and emotional satisfaction.  A rationalist should be one of the quickest to realize that even though leisure is of course trivial by comparison to reason and abstract truth, it is something that no rationalist needs to flee from thinking about and even enjoying.

To even understand that certain aspects of life are less important than others or even unimportant on their own is itself an important part of thoroughly looking to rationalism in all areas of life.  Still, leisure is not something that can be rationally dismissed because it is not pointless, unconnected from abstract truths, or without its deep philosophical and personal side.  The introspective opportunities allowed by leisure and even by simply thinking about things of a truly unimportant nature, which leisure is sometimes mistaken for in a hyper-productivity focused society, can foster a deeper appreciation for just how vital other things are.  No one has to invest in a career or humanitarian goal to be specifically utilizing their time well as a philosopher or Christian.

Neglecting leisure can even paradoxically hinder other areas of life, such as professional work or emotional stability.  Nothing wholly beneficial ever comes from avoiding any nonsinful aspect of life.  No validity is rooted in assumptions and errors.  To always flee from tasks that need attention is irrational, but so is confusing leisure for an expression of laziness or for something of no philosophical significance whatsoever.  There is both awareness of the truth and superior potential for flourishing when neither of these errors is believed.  Work and leisure alike are not what a rational person constructs their worldview or highest priorities around.  However, they are both things rationalistic people can grasp with perfect clarity.

Indeed, a rationalist can both understand and appreciate the nature of all knowable things, leisure among them.  There is nothing about a life of deep, rationalistic thought about logically verifiable aspects of reality that excludes relaxation in a wide variety of forms.  A person can rest physically while still contemplating and clinging to core abstract truths.  A person can crave what leisure offers without seeking pleasure or emotional gratification above all else.  In a world of people who tend to either dismiss leisure as irrelevant to the heart of life or dismiss physical or professional activities as completely unimportant, a rationalist can rest in the security of knowing that neither leisure nor work is the epitome of life and that reason is constantly accessible in both circumstances.