Elizabeth Anderson, a public philosophy professor at the University of Michigan and author of "Hijacked," delves into the pitfalls of the Protestant work ethic. She discusses how this outdated mindset links our worth to hard work and profits, perpetuating inequalities. Anderson critiques neoliberal policies favoring profit over dignity and advocates for a pro-worker ethic that prioritizes worker rights. She emphasizes the need for equitable workplaces, community value, and a shift away from the relentless grind toward meaningful work.
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insights INSIGHT
Protestant Work Ethic Origins
The Protestant work ethic originated with Puritans seeking assurance of salvation.
Hard work and frugality were seen as signs of God's grace and faith.
insights INSIGHT
Puritan Motivation
Puritans prioritized hard work, not for economic gain, but for religious reasons.
They believed it demonstrated God's favor and increased their chances of salvation.
insights INSIGHT
Industrial Revolution's Impact
The Industrial Revolution split workers from capital ownership, creating conflicting work ethics.
The original work ethic assumed workers would share in their labor's fruits, unlike the new reality.
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In this book, Max Weber argues that the Protestant work ethic, especially as influenced by Calvinism, played a significant role in the development of modern capitalism. Weber posits that the concept of a 'calling' and the this-worldly asceticism of Protestantism fostered a culture of hard work, thrift, and the accumulation of wealth, which were crucial for the emergence of capitalist culture. He contrasts this with the traditional economic attitudes and the medieval monastic ideal of other-worldly asceticism. The book also explores how these religious ideas influenced the development of a rational and disciplined approach to economic activity, which became a hallmark of modern capitalism.
Hijacked
Elizabeth Anderson
Elizabeth Anderson's "Hijacked" delves into the complexities of meritocracy and its impact on social justice. Anderson meticulously dissects the historical and philosophical underpinnings of meritocratic ideals, revealing their inherent contradictions and unintended consequences. She challenges the prevailing notion of individual deservingness, arguing that societal structures and historical inequalities significantly shape individual outcomes. The book offers a compelling critique of the dominant narrative surrounding meritocracy, exposing its role in perpetuating injustice and inequality. Anderson's work provides a framework for understanding how meritocratic systems often fail to deliver on their promises of fairness and efficiency.
Americans have absorbed the “Protestant work ethic” — the idea that our value as human beings is determined by how hard we work and how much money we make. Elizabeth Anderson explains how this evolved, why it pervades everything, and why it sucks.
Host: Sean Illing (@seanilling), host, The Gray Area
Guest: Elizabeth Anderson, professor of public philosophy at the University of Michigan.
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