I suspect it's a combination of facts 1) For most of history, we could only do work during daylight. 2) Agricultural work specifically wants early light - ther

I suspect it's a combination of facts 1) For most of history, we could only do work during daylight. 2) Agricultural work specifically wants early light - there's a lot of things you can't do in bright sunlight because it stresses plants. It's definitely around for a while - the whole "the early bird" thing dates back to at least the 1600's. Aristotle was mumbling about getting up early as well. ("Rising before daylight is also to be commended; it is a healthy habit, and gives more time for the management of the household as well as for liberal studies."[1]) Personally, I'm more a fan of Diogenes ;) So, likely it's considered good because it maximizes "productive" time. [1] Economics, Book1, section 1345a: http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:abo:tlg,0086,029:1:1345a http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:abo:tlg...