Laborem exercens: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 16:37, 3 July 2020

Revision as of 16:46, 3 July 2020

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''Laborem exercens'' begins with a scriptural argument that work is more than just an activity or a commodity, but an essential part of human nature.

:The Church finds in the very first pages of the Book of Genesis the source of her conviction that work is a fundamental dimension of human existence on earth. ... When man, who had been created "in the image of God., ... male and female," (Gen 1:27), hears the words: "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it" (Gen 1:28), even though these words do not refer directly and explicitly to work, beyond any doubt they indirectly indicate it as an activity for man to carry out in the world.<ref>''Laborem exercens'' §4</ref>

Work was not a result of Adam’s sin, but was given to humanity from the moment of [[Genesis creation narrative|creation]]. John Paul draws from this passage the conclusion that work is essential to human nature, and that "man is the subject of work."

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John Paul makes a distinction between work and toil. Work is an integral part of human nature; while toil, according to Genesis, was a consequence of sin. The two cannot be separated now, but we can still find the uplifting and fulfilling aspect of work, which John Paul names ''industriousness''.

{{quote|God's fundamental and original intention with regard to man, whom he created in his image and after his likeness (cf. Gen 1:26-27), was not withdrawn or cancelled out even when man, having broken the original covenant with God, heard the words: "In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread" (Gen 3:19). These words refer to the sometimes heavy toil that from then onwards has accompanied human work. ... And yet, in spite of all this toil—perhaps, in a sense, because of it—work is a good thing for man. ... throughThrough work man not only transforms nature, adapting it to his own needs, but he also achieves fulfilment as a human being and indeed, in a sense, becomes "more a human being."<ref name="LaboremExercens">''Laborem exercens'' §9</ref>|author=|title=|source=}}

In the modern world there are many situations that tend to degrade the [[dignity of work]]. John Paul called these "threats to the right order of values." For example, when work is treated as a product to be sold, or when workers are considered as an impersonal "work force," then humans are being treated as instruments, and not as the subject of work.<ref>''Laborem exercens'' §7</ref> Other violations of dignity include [[unemployment]]; under-employment of highly skilled workers; inadequate wages to support life; inadequate job security;<ref>''Laborem exercens'' §8</ref> and forced labor.<ref name="LaboremExercens" />