Andres' 4th Comment

Thus far nobody has mentioned hedonism as a possible way of conceiving idleness.

Whilst there is always the problem of agreeing on what counts and does not count as examples of hedonism, perhaps most of us would agree on what might be termed its more blatant forms: the millionaire carefree lifestyle entirely occupied by carnal pleasures - sex (with ever changing partners), luxurious foods, music, lavish surroundings - the picture we are often presented of the rock star and of the Hollywood portrayal of the sultan enjoying the delights of his harem.

While we of course often feel an initial sense of jealousy towards those with such lifestyles, we very often ultimately come to pity them as we see their lives as shallow, as lacking a certain quality of fulfilment. Now this is probably for a variety of reasons but, undoubtedly one of which is that we see them as devoid of a much more profound and subtle form of pleasure that we experience when we achieve something in the face of protracted adversity; when we display to ourselves the qualities of tenacity and resilience. Indeed it seems to be that much of the importance of such accomplishments to us lies in the very fact of their being so hard to reach.

And this all ties-up with Oliver's discussion of personal advancement and Helen and Emma's discussion regarding the sense of hard work earning us time to relax.

PERHAPS ONE OF YOU MAY LIKE TO INCORPORATE THESE IDEAS IN YOUR PRESENTATION - I WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY FOR YOU TO DO SO.