Do YOU work?

Hey there, your philosophy BFF here! ??

In The Human Condition, Hannah Arendt breaks down three key aspects of human life: labor, work, and action. Labor is all about the daily grind—meeting our basic needs without creating anything lasting. It’s like those chores we do every day that get used up right away, think cleaning the house or cooking dinner. Arendt points out that labor is necessary but fleeting, and she critiques Marx for excluding domestic work from his definition of labor. For her, labor isn’t about whether you’re getting paid or not; it’s just what needs to be done to survive.

On the flip side, work includes things like architecture, sculpture, and writing—those creative pursuits that lead to something more permanent. Work helps shape our world and creates a space for action, where we can truly express ourselves.

So, what’s the real difference between labor and work? And why do people often look down on being part of the labor force?

Arendt makes it clear that labor and work are different from what we usually think. She puts it this way: “It is indeed the mark of all laboring that it leaves nothing behind, that the result of its effort is almost as quickly consumed as the effort is spent. And yet this effort, despite its futility, is born of a great urgency and motivated by a more powerful drive than anything else, because life itself depends upon it.” So yeah, labor is about survival—it’s necessary but kind of fleeting.

Work, on the other hand, aims to create something lasting. Arendt describes it like this: “[Work] is the very opposite of the painful, exhausting effort experienced in sheer labor. It can provide self-assurance and satisfaction and can even become a source of self-confidence throughout life.”

The main difference? It’s all about intention. Labor is about survival—meeting basic needs, whether that’s earning a paycheck or just getting by. But work is about creating something that has value on its own, like a stunning piece of art or a groundbreaking idea. Once that creation is out there, it exists independently of us.

Understanding the difference between work and labor is super important for finding happiness and meaning in life. This is the perfect time to explore these ideas. When working on projects, mentors often remind us to focus on what we love and what we can create, rather than just what needs to get done. It’s like choosing between work and labor. If I’m passionate about my project, it feels way more meaningful. But if I’m just cranking out another piece for my portfolio, my passion comes from wanting a good job or more material comfort—not from something deeper.

To figure out what I really want, I’ve got to take action. It connects to the question of “Who am I?” What about you? Are you pursuing what you genuinely care about, or just what needs to get done? How do you distinguish between the labor you do and the work you want to create?

Until next time, stay open to new perspectives so that you can better decide on your impact in the world.?

Stay curious, stay critical, and keep questioning! I’ll catch you soon.??

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