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What is work? 


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Work can be understood in various dimensions. In capitalist societies, work encompasses the production of economic goods, social identities, and hierarchies, often reduced to quantifiable labor. Initially, work was empirically linked to measuring the labor of engines, humans, and animals, but its empirical meaning faded over time. Definitions from dictionaries describe work as an activity involving physical or mental effort for a purpose, often for monetary gain. Pedagogically, work is seen as a developmental force enabling moral autonomy and character formation, emphasizing efforts for the common good. Throughout history, work has evolved into a concept emblematic of modernity, focusing on producing goods and services for the market, albeit overlooking issues of livelihood and social equality.

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Work is a modern concept of human activity producing goods and services for the market, forming a social myth centered on productivity and economics, neglecting livelihood and social equality issues.
Work is viewed as a developmental force by Sergiusz Hessen, enabling moral autonomy and character formation through efforts directed towards the good of humanity, as discussed in the paper.
Work is defined as an activity involving physical or mental effort for a specific purpose, often for monetary gain. The perception of work has evolved from a necessity to an entitlement.
Work is traditionally defined in physics as the product of force and displacement, related to energy transfer. Originally, it measured labor of engines, men, and animals, but lost this empirical connection over time.
Work encompasses economic production, social identity formation, and hierarchies. In capitalist societies, it has evolved from diverse activities to abstract labor quantified in time and money, shaping social orders.

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