The work category in contemporary capitalism

Abstract

This paper aims to discuss the contemporary sociological debate on the decline in the centrality of work as a category over the final decades of the 20th century. It also analyzes the importance of the work category in sociological thought, showing how it in fact appeared before the emergence of sociology. Finally the paper examines the approaches of Habermas, Gorz, Offe, Schaff and Kurz, considered as the most important precursors to this debate

Sociology of work; Social theory; Centrality of work