Philosophy of Work

Catalog description

Philosophy of work: Work is central to many of our lives. We spend more time working than most other activities. It is where we learn and develop our skills, contribute to society, meet friends, and secure the goods we need to survive. This course will explore several philosophical dimensions of work, ranging from what makes certain jobs good or bad to how work should be distributed across our economy. Along the way, we will ask questions like What is work, and why is it a valuable activity? What counts as a meaningful or enjoyable job, and does everyone have a right to such a job? Who is an “essential” worker? What, if anything, is bad about gig work? How should we distribute or compensate “bad” work? Should people be able to opt out of work (for instance, by receiving basic income payments)?