Work, the cornerstone of the human

Human beings as Homo Fabers

"Man the Maker") is the concept that human beings are able to
control their fate and their environment as a result of the use of
tools.
Marx's central contentions about humans was that they were
differentiated from other species by the manner in which they
produce and that thus, somehow, production was one of humans'
essential activity. Then, productive activity is an essential human
activity.

Working in the environment

First, humans haven’t evolved to fit into their environments as

other animals. Humans have had to compensate for a lack of
favorable conditions.

They did this by learning about the ecosystems around them, the
plants and animals they could eat, and the natural processes they
could use, or should avoid. This knowledge was applied to create
instruments, tools and weapons.

Knowledge of nature, technical skills and intervention in the

environment are all characteristics of humans’ capacity to work.
These allowed us to adapt to highly diverse geographies and
climates.

Working with ourselves and with others

Each new generation has to learn the skills and knowledge that
will enable it to sustain its particular mode of survival.
 Australian philosopher Kim Sterelny has shown in detail how
evolution selected genetic traits that sustain humans’ capacity to
learn, specifically by enhancing social behaviour and tolerance
towards the young.

And as humans worked on nature, they also worked in ways that

influenced their minds, and their bodies.

It has been demonstrated that cooperation in humans reaches a

level unknown in other species. This cooperative capacity has its
roots in each individual’s dependency on the knowledge, skills
and efforts of others.No human is able to sustain themself on
their own, and collaboration exceeds what each person can
produce alone

Work in the future

Automation, robots and artificial intelligence might bring major

social and economic disruptions in the short-term, but it won’t
stop the need for humans to work.
Human needs are also infinitely complex. Nobody can foretell
what new activities, techniques, and consequent modes of
working will fulfil future needs.
Human intelligence is geared towards producing useful goods,
so we’ll continue to look for purposeful activities, too. And we’ll
seek collaboration with others for mutual benefit.