Byung-Chul Han: The Virtue of Inactivity

Reading from the new Han book: Vita Contemplativa.
Vita contemplativa is Latin for “the contemplative life,” a concept that is most famously articulated in Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics. The Greek term for contemplation is theoria, from which we derive the English word “theory.” Hannah Arendt associates the vita contemplativa with the philosophies of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. She claims that each of these figures, despite their differences, emphasized the priority of the contemplation of eternal, abstract truths over the vita activa. This was in direct contrast to the “pre-philosophic” context of the ancient Greek polis or city-state. As its contraposition with the vita activa implies, contemplation is understood by the Western philosophical tradition as a solitary, introspective activity that avoids the distractions of worldly and political affairs. While Arendt’s focus in The Human Condition is overwhelmingly on the vita activa, the relation of the latter to the vita contemplativa is a persistent theme.
Han, in this book, takes up "inactivity" as a contrast to the consumption-production-achievement society that burns us out and robs us of meaningful time that is truly separate from "work."
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[@philosophy_schilling]

What other descriptions could be used as more nuanced alternatives to 'inactivity'? Do you agree/disagree that Han is proposing a better way? How and why is it better? What is the middle way?

[@user-ob2nv8pp6f]

Can’t wait to read this and do my own review. Also want to read The Disappearance of Ritual as a companion thesis.

[@philosophy_schilling]

That's great! I really think it is helpful to know the German as well, esp. for the term 'inactivity.' I think it will help your review a lot. Bon chance!

[@alannolan3514]

thank you.

[@philosophy_schilling]

Thanks for tuning in!

[@ADFloyd]

He comes from a Zen standpoint. The synthesis of Daoism and Buddhism.

[@philosophy_schilling]

Thanks. I agree.