This is a collection of essays by Bertrand Russell first published in 1935. In the 1932 essay which gives the title to the volume, Russell propose people work for a maximum of 4 hours-per-day to think, socialise, etc. Other essays treat about sociology, philosophy and economy and also technical architectural problems are discussed in a social frame proposing solutions.

CONTENTS (original edition)

Preface

I In praise of idleness (1932)

II "Useless" knowledge

III Architecture and social questions

IV The modern Midas

V The ancestry of fascism

VI Scylla and Charybdis; or, communism and fascism

VII The case for socialism

VIII Western civilization

IX On youthful cynicism (1929)

X Modern homogeneity (1930)

XI Men versus insects (1933)

XII Education and discipline

XIII Stoicism and mental health (1928)

XIV On comets

XV What is the soul?