Definition of Philosophy

The Philosophy Of Work In Americana

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Businessman on a Cell Phone

I have never really thought of work in a strictly philosophical light. Neither have I associated the philosophy of work with being an American. I suppose I am no different from my neighbor or my colleague. I go to work because it is part of life. It is necessary. Without working, I would not be able to live the life that I have now.

Yet those thoughts in themselves are already the start of some philosophical analysis. Why do Americans work? Why is work so much part of our lives? These things – and more – were brought to my attention when I ran across Jason J. Campbell’s article titled Americana and the Philosophy of Work. In it, he highlights how the “American culture is intrinsically tied to labor.” He states:

We are a culture of laborers and Americana habituates its citizens to the necessity of work. We are a culture of workers and therefore any attempt to understand Americana must be met by an equal attempt to understand how Americans work.

Generally stated, a philosophy of work is an attempt to locate the essential conditions wherein work is meaningful. In discussing how a culture goes to work and how their effort to work is meaningful, one must take note of the concept.

In discussing Americana, the vast majority of the population has to work because of an acute sense of economic necessity, that is, they work because they have to. Generally speaking, only the very wealthy or those who have retired have the “luxury” of working for its sheer satisfaction.

True enough. I myself believe that I am part of the former group described in the preceding paragraph. Why do you work?

Philosophy Humour: Argument with Socrates

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socratesHumour. Humour is very important and the philosophy of humour is a very interesting topic but today’s post isn’t about that, instead here’s a link to a site that will allow you to indulge yourself with a philosophical argument with none other than the great Socrates. Yep. You’ve got that right. If you wish to match your wits against Socrates then head on to The Socrates Argument Clinic.

A friendly reminder: If you don’t win the argument you’ll need to drink the hemlock but if you win Socrates will drink it for you. Of course it is really difficult to win against Socrates but there are some who have won.

If you wish to take more than the free argument clinic though you’ll be disappointed since the link to the InterQuest homepage no longer works.

Have a good time arguing with Socrates!

Fear not those who argue but those who dodge. – Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach

Should Philosophies Be Thrown Out the Window?

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Today we are all sticking to the usual philosophies of trying to survive. It is apparent that we are now at the stage of being tempted to go beyond our principles thanks to the hard times. Many are trying to live up to their principles but it should not be surprising when all of these personal philosophies suddenly find themselves out of the window.

Such is the situation that we all find ourselves in. Times are hard and despite such philosophical beliefs and traditions through the years, the fact remains that some adjustments that include having to suck up our pride and live according to how we can today is apparent.

People who are hard-headed and want to stick to their original philosophies are commendable. But it has been months now and the future looks bleaker by the day. We see the realities of an economic catastrophe and even the big names in the business and entrepreneurial industry are following suit. Given all these factors, how long can we hold out before we admit that we must make the necessary moves to adhere towards wise living moves?

It is not easy to go back on your original personal philosophy. Some would even call it sheepish. But today you just have to make the adjustments and find a way to survive. Pride certainly will not help and if people are mature and rational, they would agree that today is not the best time to be hardheaded.

The Ethics of Changing Jobs

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Jessica Alba gets solicited for some business by two employees of a bodyguard company while trying to enjoy a day at the park with daughter Honor Marie in Beverly Hills, Ca

Changing jobs is part of life. We all need to move on at some point in our lives. In this day and age, we can’t very well be expected to stay in one place for the rest of our lives. Yet even in cases like these, we are expected to think things through and to follow certain ethics.

Take this example. Company A has been in operation for several years. After 4 years of operation, most of its employees feel frustrated. They have gone as high as they could in the ranks and discontent is the general prevailing feeling. A competing company opens within the city, unknown to the upper management. This competing company offers a higher salary and better terms. The people within the company also deemed it necessary to try and hire the most skilled people in the original company.
Naturally, these things are kept secret from the original company.

The question now is the ethics involved – not from the perspective of the newly formed rival company but in the part of the employees who are being pirated, for the lack of a better word. Is there something wrong in them wanting to leave their current job for greener pastures? Isn’t that something normal and expected?

I’d have to say that leaving for greener pastures is all well and fine BUT leaving and immediately working for a rival company when you have an agreement with your current company NOT to work with a similar group until after 1 year of leaving is something else. Oh, did I leave that fact out in the beginning?

Here’s your question – would you do what these employees are doing? Or would you be more ethical (and perhaps less practical)?