Why Do People Work?

Why do people work? In Sean Sayer's article, "Why Work? Marx and Human Nature", he explains why people work. During our first discussion this topic, we discussed how work has simply become a mean to ends. People work in order to have money, to provide for themselves, and to provide for their family. The purpose of work is not enjoyment. Rather, people work in order to obtain money.

This is specifically shown in today's society by the jobs people choose. Most people choose their jobs because of the high salary they receive. Money is the only goal for people working. It's sad to see that work has become a chore to obtain money rather than something people love to do. It shows how our brain works and makes us believe that money and success are the only things that matters. Also through discussing why people work, the question of people alientating themsevles through work was asked.

Typical office jobs do alientate people. Sitting in a cubicle all day causes people to alienate themselves from the world. They are in their own "world" and are cut off from everyone else in their work place. The same goes for those teachers. Teacher isolate themselves from other teachers and students by staying in their classrooms for a period of time. I did not every see work as alienating us from society. It makes me wonder if work has to be this way. Is it possible to do a job correctly without alienating ourselves from soicety?