The Usefulness of the Useless by Nuccio Ordine

Happiness studies have shown repeatedly that people with accumulated wealth are less fulfilled than those with little money. How, then, can we explain the glorification of profit and the insatiable quest for riches that pervades our culture? From Hippocrates, Plato, and Seneca to Montaigne and Cervantes, many first rate minds have viewed the love of money as a disease. The destructive lust is not confined to material things. The compulsive acquisition of utilitarian knowledge seems to crush the creative spirit as well. This small, brilliantly argued book champions frivolousness and the enjoyable activities that serve no utilitarian purpose. As Ordine sees it,  it’s these things that produce art, love, truth, and human dignity. See if you agree with him. Out with the croquet set, darlings.

Check if this little gem is in stock at your local library by consulting the online catalogue at https://www.sllclibrary.co.uk/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/MSGTRN/OPAC/BSEARCH

176 pages in Paul Dry Books

First published 2017

ISBN  978-1589881167

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Nuccio Ordine

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