Philosopher's Zone In defence of workism
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May 14, 2025 Matthew Hamilton, an Associate Professor of Philosophy at Singapore Management University, dives deep into the concept of workism, which places work at the heart of personal identity. He challenges the negative perceptions of workism, arguing it can enrich life rather than create imbalance. The conversation explores the value of boredom in sparking creativity, the impact of work on our identities, and the troubling trend of 'workification' in leisure and personal relationships. Hamilton advocates for a balanced approach to meaningful work.
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Three Sources of Meaning in Work
- Meaning from work comes in three forms: producing external value, self-development, and finding engagement in the activity itself.
- Work can be simultaneously a source of external impact, personal growth, and even leisure enjoyment.
Workism vs. Workaholism
- Workism means making work the primary source of identity and meaning, but it's distinct from workaholism.
- You can be a workist working balanced hours or a workaholic without deriving identity from work.
Distinguishing Workism from Statusism
- Getting meaning from workplace status differs fundamentally from getting meaning from doing meaningful work.
- Deriving identity mainly from status is "statusism," which Hamilton critiques despite defending workism.