The End of Work

Surveys twentieth century theologies of work, contrasting differing approaches to consider the “problem of labor” from a theological perspective. Aimed at theologians concerned with how Christianity might engage in social criticism, as well those who are interested in the connection between Marxist and Christian traditions Explores debates about labor under capitalism and considers the relationship between divine and human work Through a thorough reading of Weber’s Protestant Work Ethic, argues that the triumph of the "spirit of utility" is crucial to understanding modern notions of work Draws on the work of various twentieth century Catholic thinkers, including Josef Pieper, Jacques Maritain, Eric Gill, and David Jones Published in the new and prestigious Illuminations series.

Foreword. Preface. Introduction: Work in the Christian Tradition. 1. Twentieth-century Theologies of Work: Karl Barth, Marie-Dominique Chenu, John Paul II and Miroslav Volf. 2. Utility as the Spirit of Capitalism: Max Weber’s Diagnosis of Modern Work. 3. Labour, Excess and Utility in Karl Marx: The Problem of Materialism and the Aesthetic. 4. John Ruskin and William Morris: An Alternative Tradition: Labor and the Theo-aesthetic in English Romantic Critiques of Capitalism. 5. The Frankfurt School: The Critique of Instrumental Reason and Hints of Return to the Theo-aesthetic within Marxism. 6. The end of Work: Rest, Beauty and Liturgy: The Catholic Metaphysical Critique of the Culture of Work and its Incorporation into the English Romantic Tradition: Josef Pieper, Jacques Maritain, Eric Gill and David Jones. 7. Concluding Remarks: Labor, Utility and Theology. Bibliography. Index