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Work and the Human Essence
Author(s) -
ATTFIELD ROBIN
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
journal of applied philosophy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.339
H-Index - 30
eISSN - 1468-5930
pISSN - 0264-3758
DOI - 10.1111/j.1468-5930.1984.tb00194.x
Subject(s) - section (typography) , work (physics) , value (mathematics) , sociology , plan (archaeology) , positive economics , epistemology , economics , computer science , philosophy , history , engineering , mechanical engineering , archaeology , machine learning , operating system
Jenkins and Sherman hold that belief in the value of work is artificially inculcated and that a ‘leisure society’ is desirable and possible, as well as being necessitated by the introduction of microprocessors. After distinguishing between meaningful work and labour (first section), I reply obliquely to their case by contending that meaningful work affords most people their best chance of the necessary good of self‐respect (second section), and that it constitutes the exercise of an essential human capacity, the development of which is necessary to human wellbeing (third section). Because of the contingent connections between employment on the one hand and meaningful work and self‐respect on the other, we should recognise the value of work and plan for full employment (fourth section).