QUESTION 1
1.1. Compile a detailed discussion on how the meanings of work have changed over
time.
The definition in terms of “Meaning of Work” can be divided into three sub-periods in the history
of human kind;
a) Pre-Industrial Era
b) Industrial Era
c) Post-Industrial (also known as Post-Modernism) Era
d) 21st Century
Over the course of time, the meaning of work has changed so as to fit the changing societies
and personalities of humans working and living in that era.
The meaning of work embraces the significance that work, or working has in people’s lives, and
thus, even the importance that people attached to their work, or careers, has changed
significantly over the course of time.
Individual meanings of work, are derived directly or directly form socio-cultural influences in the
context of family or school socialisations, group affiliations and work experience. Socio-cultural
influences are embedded in historical contexts that give rise to the changing meaning over time.
Pre-Industrial Era;
There are three primary meanings, which were also changing in nature, associated with the Pre-
Industrial era as is detailed below from earliest to latest in terms of time scale;
a) Drudgery (Greek and Roman Civilisation);
i. Work was viewed as a burden that contaminated the mind and prevented thought
about truth regarding matters of philosophy, politics and art. Manual labour was
the domain of slaves, while the only work of free men was, as per Cicero,
considered to be agriculture, big business and living the life of a retired country
gentleman.
b) Instrumental to Spiritual or Religious ends (Hebrew, Islam, Ancient Persian, Early
Christianity and Buddhism);
i. Whilst work was also seen by the Hebrews as drudgery, it also provided the
means of expiation of sin and regaining of spiritual dignity. This trend seems to
hold true for most religions during the ages, as work is seen as the means to gain
wealth for use to provide charity, to conquer over evil, to develop one’s self in
terms of spiritual and character development, and to generally achieve a feeling
of fulfilment due to the resulting fruits of ones labours.
c) Intrinsically meaningful for its own sake (European Renaissance);
i. During this time the focus shifted to the value of a person’s mental powers, rather
than their physical powers. Work was seen as a means of mastering nature and
thus becoming your own master, a creator in their own rights of sorts. In the 19th
century a universal meaning emerged, in which work became a reason for all
progress, whether it was spiritual, material or Intellectual.
1.1. Compile a detailed discussion on how the meanings of work have changed over
time.
The definition in terms of “Meaning of Work” can be divided into three sub-periods in the history
of human kind;
a) Pre-Industrial Era
b) Industrial Era
c) Post-Industrial (also known as Post-Modernism) Era
d) 21st Century
Over the course of time, the meaning of work has changed so as to fit the changing societies
and personalities of humans working and living in that era.
The meaning of work embraces the significance that work, or working has in people’s lives, and
thus, even the importance that people attached to their work, or careers, has changed
significantly over the course of time.
Individual meanings of work, are derived directly or directly form socio-cultural influences in the
context of family or school socialisations, group affiliations and work experience. Socio-cultural
influences are embedded in historical contexts that give rise to the changing meaning over time.
Pre-Industrial Era;
There are three primary meanings, which were also changing in nature, associated with the Pre-
Industrial era as is detailed below from earliest to latest in terms of time scale;
a) Drudgery (Greek and Roman Civilisation);
i. Work was viewed as a burden that contaminated the mind and prevented thought
about truth regarding matters of philosophy, politics and art. Manual labour was
the domain of slaves, while the only work of free men was, as per Cicero,
considered to be agriculture, big business and living the life of a retired country
gentleman.
b) Instrumental to Spiritual or Religious ends (Hebrew, Islam, Ancient Persian, Early
Christianity and Buddhism);
i. Whilst work was also seen by the Hebrews as drudgery, it also provided the
means of expiation of sin and regaining of spiritual dignity. This trend seems to
hold true for most religions during the ages, as work is seen as the means to gain
wealth for use to provide charity, to conquer over evil, to develop one’s self in
terms of spiritual and character development, and to generally achieve a feeling
of fulfilment due to the resulting fruits of ones labours.
c) Intrinsically meaningful for its own sake (European Renaissance);
i. During this time the focus shifted to the value of a person’s mental powers, rather
than their physical powers. Work was seen as a means of mastering nature and
thus becoming your own master, a creator in their own rights of sorts. In the 19th
century a universal meaning emerged, in which work became a reason for all
progress, whether it was spiritual, material or Intellectual.
