THEORIES OF WORK AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR WORK VALUE: A PHILOSOPHICAL ANALYSIS OF WORK ETHICS

Abstract

Philosophy always enjoins us to, at one point or another, pause to reflect upon our lives. Such questions as these are philosophical questions - Why do we do the things we do? Why do we work? Why do we even need to work? Why do we choose the kind of work we have chosen? These are some questions that we always need to ask ourselves and others. However, our concern here relates to work. Thus, this study employs the method of analysis to examine and therefore analyse the nature of work as it relates to mankind; is work a necessary endeavour in the life of mankind? What is the value of work to mankind? These questions emanating from philosophical quest to comprehend mankind and work will in turn lead us to x-ray and analyse different theories of work especially as they affect the value attached to work as well as the output resulting from work. The study also examines some ethical issues at work places which are as a result of divergent values that are attached to work by different individuals. The study finally discloses that peoples’ understandings of work affect the value they attach to work which in turn affect their work output or productivity.