An Exploration of the Connotations and Value of Leisure Ethics
Liu Huimei1,2, Zhang Mingxiao1
1.School of Philosophy, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China 2.Academy of Leisure Studies and Aesthetic Philosophy, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
Abstract：Ethics is a kind of rational wisdom of life, which is not only the recognition and analysis of the actual state of leisure, reflection and regulation, but also the exploration and practice of the proper value of leisure. The essence of both leisure and ethics is to explore “how to live a good life”, and in order to fully understand the concept and meaning of leisure, it is necessary to examine it from the ethical dimension. First, the definition of the concept of leisure by Chinese and Western scholars can be divided into three categories according to the ethical attributes they imply. The first type is the value-neutral concept, which defines leisure only as objective “free time” and/or “self-chosen activities in free time”, but does not indicate whether leisure contains positive or negative ethical values. The second type is a concept of leisure that has positive connotations or values, stating that leisure is a positive and enjoyable experience, or even a positive way of being with philosophical implications. The third type of the concept of leisure is perceived or defined with negative, derogatory or even discriminatory perceptions that it is embedded with negative ethical values. Of these three types of definition, the value-neutral approach is tenser, encompassing both positive and negative forms of leisure, and better reflects the reality of leisure, so it is appropriate to define leisure as an activity or state of affairs that an individual freely chooses to engage in during his or her free time. Second, the conceptual definition of leisure ethics has undergone an evolutionary process. In the 1970s and 1980s, Western leisure scholars thought that leisure ethics meant “the primacy of leisure in relation to work”, and in the 1990s it changed to “norms of behaviour and moral codes in leisure”. The domestic scholars’ definition emphasizes its ethical significance and value, in line with the Western view in the 1990s. The former is a continuation of the ancient ideal of leisure, while the latter reflects the specific needs for moral norms to be observed in leisure situations in the contemporary context, and the combination of the two is the comprehensive connotation and value of leisure ethics. Therefore, leisure ethics is a value system of codes of conduct and moral norms that individuals should follow in their leisure activities, as well as the moral qualities formed from them, and the ideal of a good life for which leisure is an end in itself. Again, the connotation of leisure ethics is expressed in four aspects: the moral qualities of the leisure subject who is able to choose and participate in leisure with good or correct ethical behaviour; the ethical concepts and responsibilities that the leisure subject follows in leisure; the practical purposes of the leisure subject and the interests of self or others that are affected by the practice; and the ideal of a good life for which leisure is an end in itself. Finally, the value of leisure ethics in the modern context is mainly embodied in three dimensions: leisure ethics influences the perception and choice of leisure; leisure ethics empowers the constraints and reflection of leisure; and leisure ethics resists the alienation of modern leisure. By re-examining and reflecting on the ethics of leisure, this paper aims at reshaping the moral norms and ethical values of leisure itself, so as to guide people to cope with the ethical problems and challenges of modern leisure, to resist the diverse alienation of modern capitals and technologies, to explore the ideal leisure lifestyle and value pursuit, and ultimately to realize the good life.
刘慧梅, 张明晓. 论休闲伦理的内涵与价值[J]. 浙江大学学报(人文社会科学版), 2025, 55(5): 87-96.
Liu Huimei, Zhang Mingxiao. An Exploration of the Connotations and Value of Leisure Ethics. JOURNAL OF ZHEJIANG UNIVERSITY, 2025, 55(5): 87-96.
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