Evgenij N. Nemerov

Kursk State Medical University (Kursk, Russia),

e-mail: nemeroven@kursksmu.net

 

Apology of laziness in the Works by P. Lafargue and K. Malevich: philosophical and anthropological aspects

 

Abstract

Introduction. Over the centuries an extremely negative attitude towards laziness has been formed in culture. This phenomenon was considered as unproductive and destructive; moreover, in the Christian tradition being identified with despondency laziness was treated as a mortal sin. Gradually the understanding of the phenomenon of laziness expanded, that led to a number of works in which its value was justified. The treatises “The Right to Laziness” by P. Lafargue and “Laziness as the Real Truth of Mankind” by K. Malevich are the examples.

Materials and Methods. The article was written on the basis of the above-mentioned works by P. Lafargue and K. Malevich. The research methods are literature analysis, comparative analysis, generalization, synthesis and historical approach.

Results. P. Lafargue opposes to the hegemony of labor that has been formed in the capitalist world, calling on the proletariat to seek the right to laziness that they have been deprived of by representatives of the bourgeoisie. K. Malevich asserts that the main goal in building socialism is to grant people the right to laziness by means of redistribution and reduction of working hours. He describes an ideal future in which the automation of industry will reach such a level of development that all the things needed will be produced without direct human participation, all benefits will be available to all people, which will lead to the formation of a society of eternal rest.

Discussion and Conclusion. In contrast to the previously accepted ideas, P. Lafargue and

K. Malevich treat laziness in a completely different way and reconsider its role and significance for man. P. Lafargue justifies the right to laziness in opposition to the Marxist idea of the right to work in which he sees only the right to poverty. K. Malevich develops these ideas towards empowering laziness with a divine status. He believes that the development of human society under socialism should liberate the proletarians be means of equal distribution of labor and a constant increase of the amount of factory automation. The crucial task for the proletariat is to overcome workaholism, to get liberation from production coercion that would ultimately let them get the “right to laziness”.

Keywords: laziness, right to laziness, hegemony of labor, panlaborist society.

For citation: Nemerov E. N. Apology of laziness in the Works by P. Lafargue and K. Malevich: philosophical and anthropological aspects. Gumanitarian: aktual’nye problemy gumanitarnoi nauki i obrazovaniia = Russian Journal of the Humanities. 2025; 25(4): 352–362. (In Russ.). DOI: 10.24412/2078-9823.072.025.202504.355-362.

 

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