‘While for the ancients it was labour—negotium—that was defined negatively with respect to the contemplative life—otium—moderns seem unable to conceive of contemplation, inoperativity, and feast otherwise than as rest or negation of labour.’
Giorgio Agamben, Creation and Anarchy (trans. Adam Kotsko)
Time's Flow Stemmed 
I wasn’t aware of that lexical contrasting pair in Latin, but once pointed out it makes sense. Interesting that the adjective ‘otiose’ in English has purely negative connotations.
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Precisely, whereas “functionless” seems like the natural condition of humans, at least before the adoption of a profession.
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We have assumed that labour is the “purpose” of human existence, rather than the contemplative life.
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Thanks. It’s a long time since my Camus phase, one of those writers I want to revisit but am nervous.
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