The Concept of Work in the History of European Philosophy

This volume offers a historical overview of philosophical thinking about work in a Western context.

While philosophy has for a long time been interested in the liberative aspects of politics, including justice, liberty or equality, and there are also major philosophical works on the culture of play, the topic of work seems to have escaped philosophy’s primary focus. This is surprising as since the middle of the 19th century the world of work has been at the centre of political struggle and social conflict.  This collection of essays on how major European thinkers have conceptualised work aims to fill this gap and provides the first concise, yet substantial history of philosophical ideas about work.

The Concept of Work in the History of European Philosophy  is essential reading for all scholars, researchers and advanced students of the history of philosophy. It is also ideal for scholars in related fields such as organisational theory and the history of economic thought.