What relation does utilitarian history of the horse bear to the modern human condition? Not much. Unless the former is viewed as a victim of involuntary technological unemployment in which the enjoyment of leisure is consonant with being a jobless cockroach, if the CJI is to be believed.
Nearly 24 centuries ago, Aristotle conducted an analogous thought experiment in his Politics. He posited that if 'shuttles could weave themselves and picks play the lyre, master craftsmen would have no need of subordinates,' and would, consequently, not need to work on, or supervise, any chores. Nonetheless, the philosopher was not in favour of this. He believed it would only serve to make some men more acquisitive and lascivious, while others languished, in direct contravention of those interests that justified the pursuit of leisure itself.
