The Slothful Modern

Acedia and Its Discontents: Metaphysical Boredom in an Empire of Desire by R. J. Snell

Angelico Press, 2015
(134 pages, $14.95, paperback)

reviewed by Matthew Kemp

When we think of words to describe modern Western culture, "sloth" is not one that usually comes to mind. For one thing, it is a fairly archaic term. But more importantly, we tend to associate it simply with laziness or inactivity. R. J. Snell argues in Acedia and Its Discontents that this is nevertheless a fundamental characteristic of our age. Snell, who was Professor of Philosophy at Eastern University at the time of the book's publication and now serves as the Director of the Center on the University and Intellectual Life at the Witherspoon Institute, . . .

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