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Mans Place in a Labor-Driven Society In his book The Wealth of Nations, Adam Smith introduces a theory which attempts to figure out the definition of labor and its place in society. His concept of labor is divided into three main postulates. His first postulate states that basically, mans wants are unlimited. His second postulate states that mans goal is to make his labor more efficient. Finally, his third postulate states that this efficiency / division of labor results in a wealthy society. It is these three postulates that propels Smiths concept of labor and a better society for all mankind.
Smith carefully studied mans nature, as we see from his references to the hunter- gatherer society, in order to come up with his first postulate. In it, he states that man is not content with simply surviving. He always wants more, and he attempts to accumulate material goods in order to satisfy this need. Smith goes on to say that each person tries to meet this insatiable desire in the form of work, or labor. This interest in acquiring more, Smith states, drives man to labor in a most rewarding way (p. 19). Through his study of mans nature, Smith found that man naturally takes this labor and tries to make it better; a more rewarding experience for himself thus, Smiths second postulate is born.
The division of labor, occasions, a proportional increase of the productive powers of labor (p. 9). In this statement, Smith concludes that any system that increases the produce of labor is, by definition, efficient. He recognizes this system through mentioning the fact that mens talents differ from person to person. As stated by Smith, most men are particularly suited for labor in one field. Since it is mans nature to produce more and more through his labor, he would apply himself to a particular occupation in which he is skilled (p. 19).
This leads to the division of labor, in which simplifying the tasks of labor results in increased product Men are much more likely to discover easier and readier methods of attaining any object (p. 13). From this increased efficiency, Smith derives his third and final postulate. He claims that this increased efficiency leads to greater power over labor increased wealth. This is due to the fact that man has a higher amount of labor to exchange after the division than before it. This wealth is proportioned out through society, and Capitalism is born. In this society, more efficient laborers receive more wealth than inefficient laborers.
This imbalance stems from the free competition of Smiths theory, which, in his mind, will in time increase the wealth of the entire nation. By studying mans nature, his need for labor, and his desire to become more efficient, Smith shows that the society of man logically evolves from not being able to satisfy ones wants to developing the means to secure the majority of them. All in all, society evolves from inefficient to efficient, which soon leads from a poor nation to a wealthy one.
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Research essay sample on Division Of Labor Mans Nature
