Meaning in Work
Wed, Feb 21
Today we will begin to consider what makes work meaningful. We'll look at Alasdair MacIntyre's philosophy--one that builds on Aristotle's--as it relates to virtue, work, and culture in the modern world. In particular, we will consider the role that practices play in our work and in our lives. In addition, we'll consider Andrea Veltman's picture of meaning in work as pluralistic but objective: meaning in work can come from different parts of one's job, but work itself can sometimes fail to be meaningful. Indeed, making the room for the possibility that one's work lacks meaning is important for Veltman and for others who want to use this fact to critically examine what employers--and perhaps society more generally--owes to workers with respect to meaning and purpose.
Goals - by the end of today's class, you will:
- Understand MacIntyre's basic account of practices, where it comes from, and what its basic elements are;
- Critically evaluate this account, figuring out whether there is meaningful work it doesn't give us the resources to account for, and whether its basis (in an Aristotelian account of flourishing) is a plausible basis for meaning in work more generally; and
- Understand and articulate Veltman's pluralistic picture of meaning in work.
Read This:
Primary Reading: Alasdair MacIntyre, After Virtue, Ch. 14
Secondary Reading: Veltman, "Meaningful Work" (access on Perusall)
Reference Piece (just take a look at this): "Bates-Gallup Poll Finds 'Purpose Gap'"
Do This:
After completing the readings for today, consider the following questions (which we will talk about in class):
- Which practices constitute your life?
- Veltman identifies four "dimensions" of meaningful work in her article: (1) developing or exercising the worker’s human capabilities; (2) supporting virtues; (3) providing a purpose and value; and (4) integrating elements of a worker’s life through relationships, her broader (social) context, etc. In your own work, which of these dimensions has played the biggest role in giving you a sense of meaning?
- The results from the Bates-Gallup poll is startling: More than 80 percent of college graduates say it’s important to derive a sense of purpose from their work... but less than 50 percent actually find such purpose. What factors do you think will present the biggest challenge for you in your attempts to find meaning and purpose in work, and what resources might you draw on to help meet those challenges?