In praise of idleness

In this collection of essays, Bertrand Russell critiques the societal emphasis on hard work and argues that the belief in the virtue of labor causes significant harm.

He proposes that if labor were shared equitably, resulting in shorter workdays, it would lead to decreased unemployment and increased human happiness through increased leisure time.

Russell advocates for a four-hour workday, suggesting that this would be sufficient to maintain a comfortable standard of living, allowing more time for leisure and cultural activities.

The book also touches on themes such as pacifism, politics, and the critique of authoritarian regimes and the cult of efficiency.