Sebastian de Grazia
Encyclopedia
Sebastian de Grazia was a Pulitzer prize winning author. Born in Chicago
, de Grazia received his bachelor's degree
and a doctorate
in political science
from the University of Chicago
. During World War II
, he served in the Office of Strategic Services
, predecessor to the Central Intelligence Agency, as an analyst. He taught political philosophy
at Rutgers from 1962 to 1988. He received the 1990 Pulitzer Prize
for Biography or Autobiography for his book, Machiavelli in Hell.
was not necessarily recreational, but was intended for contemplation, to expand one's awareness and understanding of the world. The social context of this understanding of leisure has, to a large extent, been lost, and with it the notion of leisure being the pursuit of philosophy. He has revived the philosophy of leisure away from the narrow definition of recreation and free time to its former glory--contemplation.
He is the author of The Political Community (1948), Errors of Psychotherapy (1952), Of Time, Work and Leisure (1962), and A Country with No Name (1997).
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, de Grazia received his bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
and a doctorate
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
in political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
from the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he served in the Office of Strategic Services
Office of Strategic Services
The Office of Strategic Services was a United States intelligence agency formed during World War II. It was the wartime intelligence agency, and it was a predecessor of the Central Intelligence Agency...
, predecessor to the Central Intelligence Agency, as an analyst. He taught political philosophy
Political philosophy
Political philosophy is the study of such topics as liberty, justice, property, rights, law, and the enforcement of a legal code by authority: what they are, why they are needed, what, if anything, makes a government legitimate, what rights and freedoms it should protect and why, what form it...
at Rutgers from 1962 to 1988. He received the 1990 Pulitzer Prize
1990 Pulitzer Prize
The following are the Pulitzer Prizes for 1990.Two awards for Public Service were given in 1990. 1990 was also the last year that awards were given for General News Reporting and Specialized Reporting - these categories were changed to Spot News Reporting and Beat Reporting the following year.-...
for Biography or Autobiography for his book, Machiavelli in Hell.
Leisure
De Grazia has been described as the "father of leisure". In his book, Of Time, Work, and Leisure, De Grazia expounds on the idea that leisureLeisure
Leisure, or free time, is time spent away from business, work, and domestic chores. It is also the periods of time before or after necessary activities such as eating, sleeping and, where it is compulsory, education....
was not necessarily recreational, but was intended for contemplation, to expand one's awareness and understanding of the world. The social context of this understanding of leisure has, to a large extent, been lost, and with it the notion of leisure being the pursuit of philosophy. He has revived the philosophy of leisure away from the narrow definition of recreation and free time to its former glory--contemplation.
He is the author of The Political Community (1948), Errors of Psychotherapy (1952), Of Time, Work and Leisure (1962), and A Country with No Name (1997).