Projects / Programmes
The (Mis)uses of Laziness. The Figure of the Idler in Philosophy, Theology, and Political Economy
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 6.10.00 |
Humanities |
Philosophy |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| H120 |
Humanities |
Systematic philosophy, ethics, aesthetics, metaphysics, epistemology, ideology |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 6.03 |
Humanities |
Philosophy, Ethics and Religion |
laziness, poverty, work, idleness, habit, hedonism, capitalism, freedom, ideology, ontology
Researchers (1)
| no. |
Code |
Name and surname |
Research area |
Role |
Period |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
36342 |
PhD Simon Hajdini |
Philosophy |
Head |
2014 - 2016 |
150 |
Organisations (1)
Abstract
The proposed project aims to deliver a philosophical analysis of the notion of laziness, focusing primarily on its historical and contemporary figures. Despite the massive history of its conceptions, the problem of laziness has not yet received a thorough philosophical conceptualization. The project intervenes in the conceptions of laziness in (1) early-Christian ascetic tradition, high scholasticism, and Protestantism; (2) German idealism (Immanuel Kant, J. G. Fichte, G. W. F. Hegel); (3) the discourse of classical political economy (James Steuart, Adam Smith, David Ricardo); and (4) the contemporary political and economic discourse. The starting point of the project is the idler as a figure of a radical loss. This figure is analyzed from the standpoint of its (1) politico-philosophical, (2) ontological, (3) ethical, and (4) ideological status. The objective is twofold: first, to formulate the concept of “ontological laziness” as an irreducible excess of universality; and second, to answer the following key question: What is the use of laziness? What is the use of something that is presumably useless?
Significance for science
By way of new discoveries, the realization of the objectives, and the use of appropriate means of dissemination (a research monograph, research articles in Slovenian and international academic journals, public lectures), the project has demonstrated direct relevance for philosophy and the broader field of the humanities. The development of the original concept of “ontological laziness” and the conceptualization of the ethical status of the idler as a figure of “toxic enjoyment,” is of direct relevance for the contemporary ontological and ethical discussions within the field of philosophy. The research conducted in the framework of the project opened up a wide horizon of knowledge and had indirect relevance for social sciences, especially in reference to the (ideological) status of poverty within modern capitalist societies.
Significance for the country
The proposed project had direct impact on the educational system, universities, research institutes, and other research organizations. The publication of the project's results in form of public lectures, survey articles, and commentaries had direct impact on the understanding of the role of the public sector, the state and its institutions, as well as the economy in modern society.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2014,
2015,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2014,
2015,
final report
