Kierkegaard On Escaping the Cult of Busyness

Busyness is the sign of a deeply unhappy person.

A 2016 article in the Journal of Consumer Research argues that busyness has become a status symbol.  In earlier societies, such as the 19th century Thorstein Veblen describes in his Theory of the Leisure Class, the wealthy conspicuously avoided work. They saw idleness as an ideal.  By contrast, contemporary Americans praise being overworked. They see busy individuals as possessing rare and desirable characteristics, such as competence and ambition. 

To respond philosophically to our new overworked overlords and status icons, we need only return to the 19th century Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard. Kierkegaard is known for his philosophical account of boredom, which is often associated with idleness. If busyness is the opposite of idleness, perhaps he can diagnose busyness also. 

Continue reading

Enjoy unlimited access to the world's leading thinkers.

Start by exploring our subscription options or joining our mailing list today.

Start Free Trial

Already a subscriber? Log in

Latest Releases
Join the conversation

Somesh mesh 3 August 2021

Our reputation has enabled us to paintings with diverse brands, imparting our industrial painters with precious perception & experience in renovating industrial residences.
click here

Somesh mesh 3 August 2021

Our reputation has enabled us to paintings with diverse brands, imparting our industrial painters with precious perception & experience in renovating industrial residences.
<a href="http://completeroofingsolutions.co.nz/">click here</a>

Randy Bonnette 21 October 2019

The prejudice and bias are always the same in each society. Business ideas make people crazy and do not limit their time.