The Case for Working with Your Hands
One of the ways in which the abstract writing job inhibited knowledge is the rule and the assumption that there is a specific method used in writing an abstract. Additionally, his trainer, Monica, argued that one did not have to understand the content in a text to write its abstract. The method that Crawford was required to use was like the manuals that they used in a garage which stipulated how they should perform various tasks. Sadly, the method used in abstract writing denied him to use his knowledge and creativity in formulating abstracts. On the other hand, the motorcycle repairing job involved the use of knowledge because diagnostic situations have different variables. For instance, a symptom may have several different causes, and the causes may be connected, making it difficult to isolate. Therefore, there is no specific method used in repairing motorcycles. Instead, Crawford, as a mechanic had to utilize his knowledge to decide the approach that he should take when repairing a motorcycle.
The Ethical hedonism theory holds the perspective that people’s vital moral obligation is to increase happiness or pleasure. Furthermore, the theory is founded on the argument that people’s main goal in life is to maximize pleasure and minimize pain. On the other hand, the desire-satisfaction theory claims that a person’s wellbeing is the general level of want satisfaction in their general life. Additionally, the theory is based on the assumption that everyone’s needs are of equal importance, that no desire supersedes the other in importance. On the contrary, the objectivism theory claims that things that are suitable for an individual are good for the person despite his feelings towards them. If the Ethical hedonism and desire-satisfaction theories were used to evaluate the mechanic job, they would prove that it was suitable to his wellbeing because he had the liberty to use his knowledge unlike in the abstract writing job. On the other hand, if the objectivism theory were used, it would suggest that even though he liked the job, it was not good for him. The job endangered his life as seen in the incidence where he had accidentally thrown a feeler gauge down into a motor bicycle’s crankcase. The Ethical hedonism and desire-satisfaction theories would portray the abstract writing job as one that endangered his wellbeing because some rules and methods guided his operations; thus, denying him a chance to utilize his skills and creativity. However, objectivism theory would assert the job was good for him since there were lesser dangers involves as in the case of repairing machinery.
Kraut’s claims that flourishing person is one who develops possess, and enjoys the use of affective, cognitive, social and sensory powers. The occupations that I will discuss are doctor and poet. One key human power in doctor occupation is expert power which falls under social power. Expert power is where knowledge or expertise is the source of a person’s power. Furthermore, credentials, awards, and know-how are integral in this type of power. The knowledge enables a doctor to perform operations entrusted to him during treatment processes. On the other hand, poets require sensory powers for their works to appeal to the audience. Sensory powers are those that enable poets to appeal to audiences’ senses, including sight, hearing, and smell. For example, poets use figurative language like metaphors and similes in their poems to draw the picture they intended to in the mind of the reader.
The abstract writing job denied Crawford the opportunity to exercise both cognitive and social powers. For instance, he was only supposed to write the abstracts as per the given instructions and method. Therefore, he could not use his skills, knowledge, and creativity when writing, even if they would probably improve his works. On the other hand, the job denied him the chance to use social powers like an expert. For instance, as an expert writer, he was supposed to work on the papers as per how his professional skills guided him. However, in this job, he was instructed on what to do, and how to do it on an article. On the other hand, the mechanic job enabled him to exercise both the cognitive and social powers. For example, he utilized the expert power in repairing machinery like motorcycles and to advise the owners on issues concerning them. Similarly, he used the cognitive powers to analyze and determine the problem with motorcycles brought to him and decide on the best approach in repairing them.
Gregory Pence is an American Philosopher who believes that work activities have different levels of satisfaction. He categorizes work into callings, workmanship and labour. Pence explains that a calling is the highest kind of activity involving work, and it is shown when people identify themselves with their work and find pleasure in it. The identifying features of callings include the call having a higher value than the money to be earned. On the other hand, artistry is relatively satisfying, and it involves occupations such as leather-working and dentistry. Its characteristics are workers having some pleasure in their job and being proud of the products of their work. According to Gregory, labour is the most stressing work activity since it includes collecting garbage and tilling a field. Common features are workers not being intrinsically satisfied and having no freedom to decide how to conduct a task. Generally, labouring is done out of necessity, and it is repetitious. Gregory’s work classification applies to Crawford’s jobs in that his abstract writing job can be identified as labour. Pence would argue that the job does not allow Crawford to use his creativity, considering that there is a specific method to be followed in writing the abstract. Additionally, Crawford is not satisfied by the job because he is forced to deviate from the author’s message to add value to an article. Conversely, Pence would classify Crawford’s mechanic job as artistry because the latter is satisfied in the profession. Notably, as a mechanic, Crawford has the freedom to decide how to repair a motorcycle depending on what he thinks to be the problem. Overall, the ability to repair a motorcycle makes Crawford forget all the troubles that he went through while fixing the bike.
Wolf claims that for people to feel that they have engaged in a meaningful life, they must engage actively and successfully on a project that has a positive value. All the jobs that Crawford engaged in were fulfilling since they impacted him positively by giving him an income. Notably, when he finished school, he desperately sought employment without considering the challenges that he would encounter since his main aim was to earn income. However, the abstract writing job had two features that made it unfulfilling the method he was required to use, and the excess quota allocated to him, which made the job tedious. On the other hand, the motorcycle job was fulfilling because it had no rule-following. He had the liberty to decide how he will handle any motorcycle brought to him. Lastly, he had an active concern for the motorcycles which was empowered by the job’s social aspect. For example, he had a chance to talk to clients and stakeholders like metal fabricators and machinists on various issues, including prices of services.