Work, Labor, and Play Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Work, Labor, and Play - Essay Example The essay focuses on global issues and talks about people’s attitude and behavior in their jobs. This discussion will investigate Auden’s definition of work and labor, differences between labor and work, the relationship that play has between labor and work, and the results of technology and current division of labor with respect to play, labor and work. Discussion Summary of the Article Arendt’s Classification of Labor and Work Auden investigates Arendt’s categorization of work, play and labor in his article. Arendt linked the labor concept to processes of biology, death and life and to surviving organisms following the lifecycle whereby the animal produces consumer products and non-durable products required to maintain human life. According to Arendt, laboring activities are continuous (without an end) as long as man is alive. Work, on the other hand, is what people do – what is produced by human hands and effort from their environment. It is the use of objects to produce durable goods (Arendt 51). Work, play and labor are vital activities of humanity, and play and work give human beings freedom for human necessities. Labor is a mere turmoil which primary purpose is immediate life need satisfaction. Differences between Work and Labor Auden discusses how work is exciting and amusing, and labor is unexciting. ... In other words, one is forced to perform the task because of the benefit necessary to earn a living and support his family (Auden and Kirsch 24). A person cannot attain self-worth, freedom and excitement as a laborer because a necessity force always compels him to perform a certain task which he does not take pleasure in doing. Similarly, Auden suggests that work is more pleasurable to a person who loves his tasks and assignment, and the society does not compel him to perform the task. It is a person who performs his task even if it is outside his specialization. According to Auden, to be categorized as workers or laborers depends on the preference of the person undertaking the task, not the task itself. The Relationship among Play, Work and Labor Play is crucial to the laborer’s challenges. In his article â€Å"Labor, Work and Play,† Auden argues that when people participate in a game (play), they enjoy what they are doing. Otherwise, people should not play, although i t is a personal matter whether people play or not. Leisure determines the character of a person. For instance, workers take some time off to refresh and increase efficiency and productivity. A laborer sees leisure and time off as an opportunity to free him from slavery. Similarly, a laborer attempts to take available time, where a worker thinks that time is a hassle. Additionally, workers take advantage of any little time off and leisure time. Results of Technology and Current Divisions of Labor Auden argues that technology can be extremely crucial and can be the most detrimental accomplishment to the soul of a man. This is because, in the end, technology and current division of labor will turn the future world into laborers (Auden and