Schooling, work satisfaction and productivity: an examination of Jeremy Bentham

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Lyons, Richard G.^;

Affiliations: University of Massachusetts/Lowell, College of Education, West Campus One University Ave, Lowell, MA 01854, USA

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Abstract: This paper examines the ethical dimensions of work productivity and work satisfaction. This issue is explored by looking at the ethical theory of Jeremy Bentham. He argues that work satisfaction is so highly subjective and personal that we can school people to experience work satisfaction when in the most distasteful jobs. Bentham argues that, from the perspective of the principle of utility, there is nothing wrong with schooling some people to experience work satisfaction from what seems like distasteful work. This paper suggests that Bentham's theory justifies class relationship and flies in the face of the notion of equality of job opportunity.

Keywords: Act, Utilitarian, Justice, Punishment

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-1998-11203

Journal: Work, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 137-141, 1998