Leisure: The Basis of Culture & The Philosophical Act is a philosophical work by German Catholic philosopher Josef Pieper, first published in 1948. The book confronts the modern obsession with "total work" and argues that true leisure, marked by contemplation and celebration, is both the basis and necessary condition of a fully developed culture. Pieper posits that only in an atmosphere of leisure can the human being truly discover and affirm his dignity, creativity, and ultimate significance.
Leisure: The Basis of Culture & The Philosophical Act