We explain what intellectual work is, its characteristics and examples. In addition, we tell you how it differs from manual work.
What is intellectual work?
The intellectual work It is the work that requires mental effort, that is, the ability to think and the management of knowledge whether it is theorizing in the abstract, or practical problem solving and decision making in everyday life. In this it is distinguished from manual work, which requires physical or bodily effort to be carried out.
The term intellectuallinked with that of intelligence either intellectcomes from Latin voices inter (“between”) and lectus (“read” or “chosen”). It was used in classical antiquity to refer to those who dedicated themselves to the cultivation of the arts and sciences. That does not mean, however, that the intellectual work has to do only with spiritually elevated tasks: any task that does not require physical but mental effort can be understood as a task of the intellect.
There are, in fact, different everyday areas in which intellectual work is put into practice, such as logical and mathematical thinking, artistic and literary creativity, documentary research, teaching or theoretical reflection, for example. These forms of intellectual activity have in common the need to understand, manage and transmit information, which is why language normally constitutes their main tool.
Intellectual work is carried out, in most cases, by society's intellectuals: professionals of thought, calculation and reflection, such as writers, philosophers, teachers, scientists, architects, politicians and other professionals in charge. of the design, management and planning of society.
Characteristics of intellectual work
Broadly speaking, intellectual work is characterized by the following:
- Does not require physical effort or physical, but of a mental effort and the application of certain knowledge.
- It is carried out by intellectually or professionally trained individuals that is, they have received specialized knowledge and can, therefore, think about certain topics and solve certain problems.
- May consist of abstract thinking tasks (theoretical reflection) or in solving everyday problems (practical thinking).
Importance of intellectual work
The intellectual work It is fundamental for innovation and progress of society. The possibility of discussing ideas, nurturing creativity, thinking about problems and designing solutions is one of the great tools that humanity has to adapt the world to its needs.
The invention, for example, of new tools that facilitate manual labor or that solve everyday problems would be impossible without individuals completely dedicated to thinking about it. In fact, intellectual work becomes possible historically because the success of agriculture allowed us to generate more food than was strictly necessary to survive, which allowed a sector of primitive society to dedicate itself to thinking of solutions for its problems and forms. to improve what exists.
Nowadays, intellectual work is also the one that generates the greatest dividends in society and the one that has the greatest impact on its development their growth and well-being.
Examples of intellectual work
Some examples of intellectual work are:
- Writing a philosophy book.
- Teaching differential calculus to university students.
- The design of a new packaging for a food product.
- Planning social policies to confront poverty.
- The design of a method of organizing information that is more efficient.
- The calculation of the fuel needed to take a rocket to the Moon.
- Writing a review of a film in theaters.
- The design of a garment.
- Research into a treatment to cure a terminal illness.
Difference between intellectual work and manual work
The essential difference between manual labor and intellectual labor has to do with the type of effort required to do the work. If said effort involves the body and physical strength, it is manual labor; while if it involves the mind and knowledge, it is an intellectual work.
This, in turn, brings with it other important distinctions, such as that only those individuals who have received adequate training are capable of carrying out intellectual work properly, while manual labor can be performed, in principle, by any individual. This difference allows intellectual labor to be better paid than manual labor.
For example, to design a computer algorithm you need a computer professional who has the appropriate knowledge; while anyone with minimal training can perform the job of sweeper.
Some Marxist-oriented thinkers, such as the Italian Antonio Gramsci (1891-1937), oppose the distinction between manual and intellectual work, and argue that “…a purely mechanical work does not exist”, that is, that even in the simplest Manual labor requires an exercise of the intellect. However, this distinction is essential for the organization of work in modern society.
Continue with: Differences between trade and profession
References
- A Community of Inquiry. (2018). “Intellectual Labor”. In Burnett, D., Rickard, M., & Terekhov, J. (Eds). Keywords;: For Further Consideration and Particularly Relevant to Academic Life. pp. 43-48.
- Online Spanish Etymological Dictionary. “Radiation of the intellectual word.” https://etimologias.dechile.net/
- Frasinelli, P. (2003). ““A note on intellectual labor”. A Journal for Academic Labor. https://louisville.edu/
- Ortiz, R. (2021). About intellectual work. Translated Ada Solari. UNQ Publishing.
- Ruiz Tarragó, F. (1999). “Intellectual work, information and digital technology.” Educate (25). pp. 21-32.
