Leisure as a human universal

Abstract

This thesis examines the concept of leisure, seeking to understand the role it plays in making us human. Any study of human qualities requires an examination of what is observable, verifiable and quantitative as well as that which belongs to a dimension of our existence that lies beyond observation, verification or quantification. Thus, both quantitative and qualitative approaches to leisure are examined. Leisure, it will be argued, is a uniquely human quality, and therefore in order to understand the role it plays in making us human, it is necessary to understand what it means to be human. The concept of humanness is examined with reference to human needs, thinking and language, rationality and consciousness. The philosophical theory of universals highlights the capacity of the human mind and the human ability to categorise and conceptualise our experiences. Universals are contrasted with particulars. Universals are concepts, while particulars are the experiences of these concepts. Leisure, in this perspective, is the universal, while recreation, amusements, play and games are the particulars. Humans possess the unique capacity to extract from particular experiences, common qualities that are universals. Thus, the common qualities belonging to recreation, play and games, exemplify the uniquely human universal, leisure.