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Why Work?

Why Work?

The Perceptions of "A Real Job" and the Rhetoric of Work through the Ages

by Robin Patric Clair, Megan McConnell and Stephanie Bell

212 Pages, 6.00 x 9.00 in

Paperback
9781557534545 | Published: January 2008

$29.95

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Why Work explores the contemporary cultural construction of work, beginning with the expression, "A Real Job." This volume examines "work" in the writings of Aristotle, Plato, Confucius, St. Benedict, Adam Smith, Karl Marx, Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. Du Bois, Mother Jones, Emma Goldman, Emile Durkheim, Max Weber, Frederick Winslow Taylor, and Mary Parker Follett to answer the question, "Can the concept of work be divorced from the thinker's past?" A final chapter re-examines the core issue in light of the vary concept of "work" and ask one more time "why work?" This work is a result of an Honors seminar at Purdue University.

Preface
Part One: The Ontology and History of Work
Chapter One: The Messy Business of Defining Work
Chapter Two: Philosophy and Rhetoric of Work
Part Two: Philosophers, Rhetoricians, and Activists
Chapter Three: Plato and Aristotle: Philosophies of Labor
Chapter Four: Confucius and St. Benedict: Spiritual Leaders
Chapter Five: Adam Smith: The Father of Capitalism
Chapter Six: Karl Marx: A Challenge to Capitalism
Chapter Seven: Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. Du Bois: Out of Slavery
Chapter Eight: Mother Jones and Emma Goldman: Labor Activists
Chapter Nine: Emile Durkheim: The Division of Labor
Chapter Ten: Max Weber: The Father of Sociology and Theorist of Bureaucracy
Chapter Eleven: Frederick Winslow Taylor: The Father of Scientific Management
Chapter Twelve: Mary Parker Follett: Ahead of Her Time
Part Three: The Meaning of Work
Chapter Thirteen: Why Work? Concluding Remarks
Chapter Fourteen: Why Work: An Epilogue
References
Index

Robin P. Clair is a Professor of Communication at Purdue University. Clair is an award-winning author and researcher, as well as a nationally invited lecturer, who speaks on a variety of organizational communication topics.

Stephanie Bell, earned a B.A. in Communications from Purdue University and is a Senior Administrative Assistant for Urban Programming at the Center for Special Concerns, University of Notre Dame.

Stephanie Mathes, B.A. in Communications from Purdue University currently serves as the Community Relations Assistant for the Indianapolis Colts.

Kyle J. Hackbarth, B.A. in Communications from Purdue University is currently serving in the United States Army, in Baghdad, Iraq as a Forward Observer.

Megan McConnell, B.A. in Communications and Political Science from Purdue University.

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Why Work?

The Perceptions of "A Real Job" and the Rhetoric of Work through the Ages

Why Work?

The Perceptions of "A Real Job" and the Rhetoric of Work through the Ages

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