Unit

Working, Playing

(chapters 8-11)

 

The touring group acquires labor credits.  The purpose of this unit is to consider the nature and role of work in modern life.  There should be dignity in all work; it should be distributed among all citizens; a leisure class, if permitted, will make increasing demands on others; with proper effi­ciency, planning, and control, no one need work more than half the typical working day in mod­ern society.

26

 

Values Clarification

 

The group visits the work areas, including the storehouses, farm, and shops.  Frazier becomes

even more candid:

 

1.       On choosing a mate: "The tender sentiment of the 'one and only' has less to do with con­stancy of heart than with singleness of opportunity." (47)

 

2.       On physicians: "The medical profession has been slow to give up the chicanery of prescien­tific medicine." (49)

 

3.       On physical labor: "We mustn't let our big muscles atrophy just because we've devised su­perior ways of using the little ones." (52)

 

4.       On artists: "Artists aren't lazy, but they must be reasonably free of the responsibility of earn­ing a livelihood." (80)

 

What is your opinion of his remarks?  Write "NOW" beside the comment with which you agree most, the comment which seems most sensible to you.

 

Consider these same remarks from your perspective two or three years ago.  Write "THEN" be­side the comment which you would have considered most sensible at that time.

 

Since human beings are always in the process of development, your two choices perhaps differ.  If so, speculate on the possible reasons.  In your presentation, show how these factors may be more or less influential at different times in your life.