Categories: All - myth - purpose - creativity - independence

by Soren Bruehler 3 years ago

239

Does having a creative outlet affect a person's sense of purpose (or overall happiness)?

The debate around work and creativity often draws on mythological and philosophical references. The story of Sisyphus, who is condemned to an eternal and grueling task, illustrates the negative aspects of repetitive, unfulfilling labor.

Does having a creative outlet affect a person's sense of purpose (or overall happiness)?

Bibliography:

Cohen-Meitar, Ravit, et al. “Linking Meaningfulness in the Workplace to Employee Creativity: The Intervening Role of Organizational Identification and Positive Psychological Experiences.” Creativity Research Journal, vol. 21, no. 4, 2009, pp. 361–375. Academic Search Ultimate, EBSCOhost, doi:10.1080/10400410902969910.

Ishaque, Amir, et al. “Creative Workplace: A Support for Creativity Case of a Pakistani Private Sector University.” Abasyn University Journal of Social Sciences, vol. 7, no. 2, Dec. 2014, pp. 211–228. Academic Search Ulitmate, EBSCOhost.

Research question

"In organizations where employees perceive creative climate, they are more likely engage in a higher level motivation in their work that positively impact their perceptions about organizational innovation that ultimately enhance creativity in the organization."

Sisyphus' punishment is to roll a stone up a hill for all enternity, a grueling task. The punishment indicates the negative nature of work and how being told to do something is bad for people.

"He knows himself to be the master of his days." This indicates that when man can control his fate he would surely find happiness.

The first wave of automation drove out artisans, but the upcoming waves of automation could return artisans back to the world.

The Myth of Sisyphus

P2: Implications: Camus suggests that Sisyphus (and anyone else) may find happiness and peace in his eternal task, for the sole reason that he is his own master.

P3: Implications: A more creative workplace increases the effort put into work, and improves the environment in which work is done.

P3: Objections: Employers and bosses may fear that too much creative liberty could impact the quality of work and products.

P2: Objections: One might argue that Sisyphus is unhappy because of his eternal task, thus opposing the claims of Camus.

P3: Limitations: The type of work that happens at certain jobs may naturally limit the amount of creativity that employees can use.

P2: Limitations: This story is a myth and people who work do not eternally roll stones up hills so it makes it hard to compare the two so closely.

Connect to Alternate Perspectives

Limitations: Some work may naturally not be suited for creative input, and there is not yet a solution to create income for people who would become artisans again.

Implications: Increase the creativity of people everywhere and increase their workplace autonomy.

AP Seminar IWA Concept Planning Guide

P1: Implications: The existence of places like the foundry ulitmately lead to a post-work culture.

P1: Limitations: Not everyone may enjoy independence at work, some people may prefer being told what to do all the time.

P1: Objections: Having a post-work society would remove a sense of purpose from one's life.

"Such activities [creative interests] offer vritues that many organizational psychologists consider central to satisfaction at work: independence, the chance to develop mastery, and a sense of purpose.

Creative Workplace: A support for creativity Case of a Pakistani Private Sector University.

"Our study also determined the same factors including their freedom at work that also supports creativity in the organization."

5: Evidence

4: Argument (Row 4)

3: Perspective (Row 3)

2: Context (Row 2)

1: Context (Row 1)

A World Without Work

The Foundry, a place where people come to be creative and invent things.

Youngstown, where the lack of work caused and social and cultural fallout.

Does having a creative outlet affect a person's sense of purpose (or overall happiness)?

Having a creative outlet increases a persons sense of purpose.

Conclusion/Solution: implement more opportunities for employees to be creative, and increase the number of "makerspaces" around the world.
Claim with Evidence

Why: As we shift away from a work-based society, it is important to examine and evaluate alternatives to work so that the cultural fallout due to lack of work can be reduced.

Context: Examining alternatives to work that are fulfilling instead of menial.
Current debate: Is work really that important?