Sayers, Sean (2007) Marx's Concept of Labor. Science & Society, 71 (4). pp. 431-454. ISSN 0036-8237.
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Abstract
Marx conceives of labour as form giving activity. This is criticised for presupposing a `productivist' model of labour which regards work that creates a material product – craft or industrial work – as the paradigm for all work (Habermas, Benton, Arendt). Many traditional kinds of work do not seem to fit this picture, and new `immaterial' forms of labour (computer work, service work, etc.) have developed in postindustrial society which, it is argued, necessitate a fundamental revision of Marx's approach (Hardt and Negri). In this paper I argue that Marx's theory must be understood in the context of Hegel's philosophy. In that light, I show that the view that Marx has a `productivist' model of labour is mistaken. I criticise the concept of `immaterial' labour, and argue that Marx's ideas continue to provide an illuminating framework for understanding work in modern society.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled keywords: | Marx, Hegel, work, immaterial labour, Hardt and Negri, Arendt, Habermas, postindustrial society |
| Subjects: | H Social Sciences > HX Socialism. Communism. Anarchism J Political Science > JC Political theory H Social Sciences > HB Economic Theory B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BJ Ethics |
| Divisions: | Faculties > Humanities > School of European Culture and Languages |
| Depositing User: | Sean Sayers |
| Date Deposited: | 24 Apr 2008 09:57 |
| Last Modified: | 14 Jan 2010 14:09 |
| Resource URI: | http://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/2800 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes) |
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