Why Work?

After reading Sean Sayers article, entitled “Why Work? Marx and Human Nature,” my opinions on why people work have changed. I originally believed that most people are motivated to work; they have an internal drive to go work. Some people enjoy working and they might feel bored if they did not have a job. Therefore, they may be no such thing as “luxurious indolence” for many individuals.

This article made me realize the labor and work are not synonymous even though some individuals use them interchangeably. The words “labor” and “work” may be associated with one another since some people believe that work is laborious. However, this is not necessarily true. Some jobs may be physically intensive but the people in these fields may not describes their work as laborious.

Many people enjoy going to work each day if their coworkers are also their friends. Also, when people are at work, they are typically away from family; this daily break/distance from family is mentally beneficial. Working may give an individual a sense of worth and involvement in his/her community. Some individuals see themselves as working for the greater good of society while also earning money to provide for their families. In some workplaces, creativity and individuality are inspired and recognition is gained through accomplishments.

Going to work each day and working to one’s fullest potential is reinforced weekly or biweekly by receiving a paycheck, but it also receives long-term reinforcement. Retirement accounts and pensions are just a couple examples of long-term reinforcement. I agree with Marx in that for many individuals work is a fulfilling activity and for others it is simply a means to an end.

If work is always viewed as a means to an end, how would one describe community service? When someone participates in community service, he/she is working without being paid. Why do people volunteer their time if they are not being paid for it?

-According to Locke, how is working against our nature? I think very few people would enjoy “luxurious indolence.”