Debating a post-work future: perspectives from philosophy and the social sciences

The book provides a comprehensive, critical overview of philosophical, social-scientific, and humanistic arguments about the design and desirability of “post-work” society. Its purpose is to clarify the concepts and theories that inform this debate by exploring the diversity of arguments from a wide range of perspectives about the meaning of a “post-work” future.

The book’s 12 chapters were written exclusively for the volume by an international team of researchers in philosophy, political science, gender studies, law, sociology, history, and engineering. They are organized into four larger sections:

I. Defining the “Post-Work” Debate

II. From Past to Future

III. The Value and Conditions of Work vs. Post-Work

IV. The Politics and Justice of Post-Work

After a general introduction and then an initial round-table discussion among four leading theorists, the book explores topics like work as an evolving social invention, the possible effects of a shorter work week and UBI, automation, climate change, and the roles of Marxism, capitalism, and democracy in a post-work future.