The Reality of Work Cultures in the Modern Economy Essay - 1

The Reality of Work Cultures in the Modern Economy - Essay Example Protestant work ethic and its impact upon the lives and attitudes to work of employees Sennett refers in his book to the Max Weber’s The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism as to an important illustration of two contrary ethical standards: self-fashioning and self-discipline (1998, 102). Based on this book, the Protestant work ethic implies that employees should not harry with their desire for self-fulfillment and gratification, rather, they should delay this desire to the end. According to the Protestant concept which is based on the religious pillars, people should have practiced self-denial in the present and sacrifice themselves every day thus proving their worthiness in the sight of God (Sennett 1998, 103). This ideology has been transformed into the â€Å"worldly asceticism† and in the workplaces people were focused on saving instead of spending, pursuing the long-term result and achievements (Sennett 1998, 103). Discipline as an act of self-punishment also was an integral element of the Protestant’s work ethic. The Protestant emplo yee was taking fully a responsibility for his/her lived time and judged morally based on this key criterion. Based on this concept every individual was morally responsible for the time and quality of work he/she performed during the working hours as well as for time he/she spent out of work: at home, with family and children, sleeping, having a rest, etc.

Lao-Tzu or Kafka Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Lao-Tzu or Kafka - Essay Example After understanding self, it is important for the individual to understand other humans and live with them in harmony. But the ultimate understanding comes when the individual understands the universe and nature and learns to live according to the universal rules of nature. He has connected unrelated things like nature and warfare with complete success. â€Å"Therefore a wise prince, marching the whole day, does not go far from his baggage wagons. Although he may have brilliant prospects to look at, he quietly remains in his proper place, indifferent to them. How should the lord of innumerable chariots carry himself lightly before the kingdom? If he do act lightly, he has lost his root; if he proceed to active movement, he will lose his throne†. The life and work of Lao were very closely connected to the above Biblical proverb as he was a man of wisdom and he stressed the importance of wisdom and understanding all his life. His work Tao Te Ching, which meant ‘The Law of virtue and its way’, is a testament of wisdom and understanding. Lines like the following are the embodiment of wisdom and understanding of all the elements. Lao commended the sage who has all the understanding and wisdom; but never makes an exhibition of it. He can command people and make things happen without using any speech and this is done on the strength of his wisdom and understanding of human nature. His following words show perhaps the most understanding sentence of life: â€Å"  Heaven and earth do not act from any wish to be benevolent; they deal with all things as the dogs of the grass are dealt with. The sages do not act from any wish to be benevolent; they deal with the people as the dogs of the grass are dealt with.† http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/CHPHIL/LAOTZU.HTM He argued that from wisdom comes humility devoid of all self importance. With the understanding of human nature and the nature around us, we attain humble command