By: Mark

Mark — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 03:26:03 +0000

Thanks for your comments Ruth. Alain’s approach to looking at work is taking a snapshot of a number of occupations and shifting them to try to test the expectation that we can find happiness or meaning in our work. He then delves into the anxiety this causes. So, from memory, he doesn’t look at the positive health benefits of work. But I agree with you that there certainly are- could this be part of what the author of Ecclesiastes is saying when he says “man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work.”? (Ecclesiastes 2:24) Mark.

By: Ruth C

Ruth C — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 10:00:00 +0000

Thanks, Mark - thought provoking. I should read the book, but was interested that the intrinsic value of meaningful occupation (whether paid or not) to mental and physical health wasn’t mentioned in your review (though it may have been in the book). I know that separated from an eternally focussed life work will not be ultimately satisfying, but the positive effects of meaningful occupation are well documented. When I went through my Occupational Therapy degree years ago, we looked at that side of work in detail (it being the catalyst for the origins of occupational therapy with patients with psychiatric illness and later with war veterans after the first and second world wars). Enough from me!! Cheers. Ruth

Comments on: Why do we hate our jobs?

By: Mark

By: Ruth C