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Work

This document discusses Bertrand Russell's views on work and its relationship to happiness. It outlines that Russell believes that while uninteresting work may be troublesome, it is better than idleness as it prevents boredom. It also notes that interesting work provides greater satisfaction through the exercise of skills and constructive pursuits. Finally, it states that one of the common causes of unhappiness among intellectuals is being compelled to work against their conscience for the sake of livelihood when better opportunities are not available.

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263 views2 pages

Work

This document discusses Bertrand Russell's views on work and its relationship to happiness. It outlines that Russell believes that while uninteresting work may be troublesome, it is better than idleness as it prevents boredom. It also notes that interesting work provides greater satisfaction through the exercise of skills and constructive pursuits. Finally, it states that one of the common causes of unhappiness among intellectuals is being compelled to work against their conscience for the sake of livelihood when better opportunities are not available.

Uploaded by

Wasim
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
Download as pdf or txt
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WORK

 Russell and his style


 The theme of the essay, Work
 Reasons to find work, even if uninteresting, useful
 Some other virtues of work
 Exercise of skill and construction make work interesting
 The commonest cause of unhappiness among intellectuals

Bertrand Russell (1872-1970) is a famous philosopher of the 20th century. He held his view honestly
and boldly about peace, pacifism and atom free world. He was a sceptic and forwarded scientific
outlook. He fought against ancient and modern superstitions, political oppression, intolerance, narrow
mindedness and worship of power. Intellectual honesty, logical exposition, pervasive communication
and forthright mode of statement are salient features of his prose. His style is never involved or obscure.
It is always meant to explain and convince.

Work is an extract from ‘The Conquest of happiness’. It highlights the value of work for self fulfilment.
Russell regards work as a source of happiness and his comments on this subject take into consideration
all aspects of this theme. Idleness is a source of boredom and dullness. Only constructive work can give
us pleasure and happiness.

Bertrand Russell divides work into two categories. One is interesting and the other is uninteresting
work. Interesting work is source of great pleasure but uninteresting work is also desirable.
Uninteresting work creates many problems but is less painful than idleness. It might be troublesome but
it is less agonizing than being without a job. It keeps us busy and active. It provides us relief from
boredom. It makes holidays enjoyable. More work brings more income and hence enhances our
standard of life. It makes us to enjoy holidays. If there had been no work we would not have
differentiated between work and rest. Uninteresting work becomes bearable when it gives us fame and
money. How much uninteresting the work is, it is better than idleness because it saves us from dullness
and tediousness. Most of the idle rich suffer unspeakable boredom as the price of their freedom from
drudgery.

Interesting work is a source of greater joy. It has its own value. It provides pleasure and satisfaction of
higher order. Russell enumerates two things especially that make work more interesting. These are the
exercise of skill and constructiveness. Exercise of skill gives us joy until it reaches perfection. It keeps the
man busy in improving himself in his skill. The work of a lawyer and a politician is as interesting as the
game of bridge. There is element of competition and which keeps them enjoying their work. They are
always using their skill to beat the opponent. Moreover performance of difficult work also gives
immense pleasure. The pilot of an aeroplane risks his life for the performance of wonderful feats. He
enjoys his work until it becomes his routine. The element of constructiveness is also source of joy.
Construction means creating something new. A man feels pleasure and elevated when others praises
and appreciate his work. The work of artists, scientists and musicians always gives them fame and
fortune. Its joy is everlasting. The destructive work does not last long.

Work is a source of happiness but sometimes it becomes irksome. It may cause dissatisfaction. One of
the causes of unhappiness among intellectuals in the present day is compulsion. The people whose skill
is literary find no opportunity for the independent exercise of their talent. They have to hire themselves
out to rich corporations directed by philistines. They are forced to work against their conscience. They
have to do this for the sake of livelihood. If they do not do they have to starve. It makes them cynical
and in the course of time they cannot derive wholehearted satisfaction from anything. If they have an
alternative to do this they should leave such dissatisfying work. They should maintain their self respect
because without self respect genuine happiness is hardly possible.

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