Abstract
The prospect of labor automation raises the question of the role of work in a good Christian life. This article examines three polar theologies of work present in Roman Catholic thought: labor as drudgery, labor as dignified calling and labor as an obstacle. These three theologies inform an eschatological vision of labor—Christians are called to work to build the kingdom of God, not merely to acquire material possessions. Finally, two ultimate issues are raised: the distribution of resources and the problem of idleness in a post-labor world. All of this suggests Catholics must promote a future of dignified labor dedicated to love of neighbor and God.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 153-171 |
Number of pages | 19 |
Journal | Agathon: A Journal of Ethics and Value in the Modern World |
Volume | 5 |
Publication status | Published - Jan 2018 |
Externally published | Yes |
User-Defined Keywords
- Theology of Work
- Catholic Social Teaching
- Labor Automation
- Kingdom of God
- Technological Singularity