Works of laziness: writing sloth

Abstract

From the concept of acedia, sloth, indolence, laziness, idleness to passivity, such condition of the incapability to work and 'doing nothing' has long existed since antiquity to postmodernity. It forms an antagonistic—in fact dialectical relationship with the dominant work ethics for centuries since God proclaims to “rest the seventh day from all his work.” The emergence of each of the above terms connotes specific characteristics originated in particular periods of time to show a marginal and neglected form of existence. By investigating different manifestations of laziness and their relation with the work logic in phases of history, this thesis aims at presenting laziness as a possible form of resistance to the regime of work--from medieval times, when work was framed by the rigid ideology of Christianity and celebrated in religious terms, to capitalist modern societies, which speak of efficiency, increasing productivity and technological advancement. Emphasis will be placed on the modern times especially since the nineteenth century to examine the prominent changes in working conditions under increasingly structured forms of capitalism, to show how laziness manifests as a resistance that maintain one’s subjectivity in negotiation with the ubiquitous force of work, which has driven most people into conditions of miserable existence. By showing different facets of laziness, particularly focusing on those appearing in modern times, I would like to launch a dynamic dialogue between this concept and that of work, which is understood in terms of activity, and to problematize their dualistic nature so as to expose the arbitrariness of the dominant ideology of work and to show how resistance is always possible.