Socrates and Leisure

Abstract

In the so-called Socratic dialogues, Socrates introduces the need for σχολή or leisure as the precondition that is necessary for the philosopher to pursue his task. He also makes ideal use of it, contrary to what seems to have been the popular image of the idle philosopher. Thus, a desideratum for academic life was built, on the grounds that philosophers have to reciprocate the gift of leisure by benefiting the whole of community; besides, the idea of intellectual labour was also introduced to balance any negative feelings created in the demos against the luxurious leisure of philosophers and their schools. Philosophical leisure and its conditions could well be an issue in modern academic ethics.