Dignity
Wed, May 01
Throughout this class, we discussed various moral foundations we might consider for a philosophy of work. Today, we'll look at someone who puts all the pieces together into a coherent view. Catholic Social Tradition (CST) has long taught that the dignity of work is grounded in the dignity of workers (the human person), and Pope John Paul II develops this tradition in the context of his broader account of the purpose of existence and the nature of human beings.
Goals - by the end of today's class, you will be able to answer the following questions:
- How does John Paul II's vision address various problems we've identified throughout this class having to do with work and labor (e.g., alienation, burnout, exploitation, over-consumption, etc.)?
- Which philosophical resources or frameworks is he drawing on in framing his picture?
- How can his account of the role works places in a well-lived life provide guidance for those looking to plan and structure their careers and working lives?
Read This:
(Access readings on Perusall)
Primary Reading: Pope John Paul II - "Laborem Exercens" (selections)
Secondary Reading: Michael Sandel, "Contributive Justice and the Dignity of Work" (The Atlantic)
Do This:
After completing the readings for today, consider the following questions (which we will talk about in class):
- Do you share what you take to be the major underlying assumptions Pope John Paul II uses in sketching his view of the purpose of work in a well-lived life? If not, what assumptions about the human person do you draw on when thinking about these issues?
- How does Michael Sandal's notion of "contributive justice" go beyond economic issues we typically think of when considering what we owe to workers in terms of public policy?