A Theory of Meaningful Work

1. A Theory of Meaningful Work

2. Meaningful vs. Meaning • Meaningful work signifies something of value. • Work can have meaning without signifying something of value. • Discussion questions: • Is this an important distinction? • Is this distinction consistent with generally accepted theories of the meaning of work? Michaelson

3. Work is meaningful if the working conditions meet normative criteria preserving basic rights of individual workers (Karl Marx; Schwartz, 1982; Bowie, 1999) Work is meaningful if the individual worker considers it to be meaningful to his or her own self-expression (Nozick, 1974; Gini, 2001, 2003) Standard Conceptions Institutional Objective Individual Subjective Michaelson

4. More Well-Rounded Conception? • Work is meaningful if it makes a beneficial social contribution (Care, 1984; Martin, 2000; Muirhead, 2004) Institutional Individual Objective Objective • Work is meaningful if it responds to market demand (Adam Smith) Institutional Individual Subjective Subjective Michaelson

5. Work is meaningful if the individual worker considers it to be meaningful to his or her own self-expression (Nozick, 1974; Gini, 2001, 2003) Work is meaningful if the working conditions meet normative criteria preserving basic rights of individual workers (Karl Marx; Schwartz, 1982; Bowie, 1999) Discussion Questions • Is this taxonomy correct? • Is this taxonomy complete? • Is this taxonomy useful? • If yes or maybe to any or all of the above, is it reasonable to say that work: • Is more meaningful the more conceptions it satisfies? • Is meaningful only if it satisfies all four conceptions? • Work is meaningful if it makes a beneficial social contribution (Care, 1984; Martin, 2000; Muirhead, 2004) Institutional Individual Objective Objective • Work is meaningful if it responds to market demand (Adam Smith) Institutional Individual Subjective Subjective Michaelson

6. Discussion Questions • Is this taxonomy correct? • Is this taxonomy complete? • Is this taxonomy useful? • If yes or maybe to any or all of the above, is it reasonable to say that work: • Is more meaningful the more conceptions it satisfies? • Is meaningful only if it satisfies all four conceptions? Michaelson