Philosophical chemistry: what the alchemy of Gadamer And Aristotle brings to leisure studies

ABSTRACT

In this research note I argue that leisure has rarely been studied using hermeneutic philosophy and phenomenology. Yet hermeneutic philosophy offers a richly realised, empathic philosophy of egalitarian communication, anchored in respect and openness. In hermeneutic philosophy language is pre-eminent for expressing the meanings of our life experiences and how we understand them. I suggest that hermeneutic philosophy and phenomenology, entwined with Aristotle’s concept of leisure together forge a potent approach for studying and interpreting leisure meanings. Moreover, it has often been asked whether hewing to Western-centric philosophies in the unfolding of leisure meanings of people of other cultures has relevance or is appropriate. I propose that in holding to Aristotle’s holistic understanding of leisure as essential for human thriving we may come closer to more receptively hearing and understanding the voices of others when they share with us what is fulfilling and meaningful in their leisure. Therefore, I propose that the embrace of leisure as a philosophy of thriving and flourishing, entwined with a hermeneutical phenomenological approach to understanding being through language, affords a heady alchemy of philosophically forged tools for guiding leisure studies in exploring the ontological, lived experiences of leisure.

KEYWORDS:

• Leisure philosophy
• lived experience
• ontology
• phenomenology
• philosophical hermeneutics

Disclosure statement

I have no conflict of interest to declare.

Additional information

Funding

This research has been supported by a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Doctoral Fellowship Award.

Notes on contributors

Jane Hurly

Jane Hurly is a 4^th year Ph.D. candidate in the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. She holds a Master of Arts degree in interdisciplinary studies from Royal Roads University in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Her research interests pertain to the study of leisure. Specifically, she is interested in exploring the phenomenon of leisure in the lives of African refugees resettled in Canada, and how their experiences of leisure impact their well-being, familial and community bonds, life satisfaction, and sense of belonging. Recently, Jane’s master’s and doctoral research with refugees from Africa and the Middle East has been published in Leisure Sciences (2019), Leisure Studies (2019), and the Journal of Leisure Research (2019). Jane holds a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Doctoral Fellowship Award (2019-2021), and a President’s Doctoral Prize of Distinction from the University of Alberta (2019-2021) in recognition of her academic achievements, as well as a Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation grant for graduate student-initiated research projects (2019-2020).