UCL - Philosophy of work

[TRAV2250]

[30h] 5 credits

Teacher(s): Mark Hunyadi-Buzas

Language: French

Level: Second

Aims
Main themes
Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Aims

The course will aim to stimulate reflection on the human and social meaning of work.
The course will address traditional, contemporary themes such as work and action, work and language, the fu-ture of work, law in the workplace, and the distribution of work.

Main themes

A range of conceptions of work co-exist in our culture, and are in competition with one another. Each has impli-cations that require philosophical reflection. The concept of work is based on that of activity, and that in turn is based on the delicate matter of the nature and production of humankind.
The first part of the course undertakes a systematic examination of the various definitions of work and of their anthropological, moral and political implica-tions. With work currently in crisis, particular note will be taken here of how far unemployment and work co-relate in facts and in discourses. All political ar-gumentation on the subject of unemployment presupposes an idea of which it is the absence.
The second part of the course varies from year to year, and consists of an in-depth examination of a theory based on books by writers such as Marx, Gorz and Hegel.

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

This course will consist of classes held in the evenings and/or on Saturdays.