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The instinct of workmanship, and the state of industrial arts

Written by Thorstein Veblen

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TechnologyIndustrial artsIndustriesWorkmanship

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About this book

"The Instinct of Workmanship and the State of Industrial Arts" by Thorstein Veblen is a scientific publication written in the early 20th century. This work delves into the relationship between human instincts, particularly the instinct of workmanship, and the evolution of industrial arts within various cultures. Veblen sets the stage for analyzing how technological practices are shaped by underlying instinctive human behaviors and the consequent social structures. At the start of the book, Veblen introduces the concept of instinctual behaviors that underpin human activity, suggesting that our workflows and cultural advancements are significantly influenced by innate proclivities. He discusses the diminishing emphasis on the term "instinct" in modern biological sciences, while asserting its relevance in understanding the development of cultural institutions. The opening chapter emphasizes that human actions are bound by these instincts, setting the foundation for a broader examination of how these instinctive behaviors intertwine with the progression of craftsmanship and technology. Veblen aims to demonstrate that the evolution of industrial arts is not just a product of technological demands but is deeply rooted in the complex interplay of human instincts and societal evolution.

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in The instinct of workmanship, and the state of industrial arts, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 15 hours
  • advanced
  • Analytical
  • Academic
  • Philosophical

Thorstein Veblen's "The Instinct of Workmanship and the State of Industrial Arts" is a foundational work in institutional economics and sociology, exploring the intrinsic human drive to create, improve, and produce efficiently. Published in the early 20th century, the book traces the evolution of industrial arts and technological practices through various cultural stages, arguing that they are profoundly shaped by underlying human instincts, particularly the 'instinct of workmanship.' Veblen posits that this innate proclivity for purposeful effort and effective work is a primary driver of cultural advancement, often in tension with other instincts and the demands of social institutions. He meticulously examines how this instinct interacts with societal structures, economic systems, and the 'state of industrial arts' from primitive societies to modern industrial economies. The work ultimately offers a critical perspective on how societal values and economic systems can either foster or stifle humanity's inherent productive impulses.

“The instinct of workmanship is present in all men, and asserts itself more or less effectually under any known phase of culture.”

Key themes

The Instinct of Workmanship
This is the central theme, defining an innate human propensity for efficient, purposeful, and effective action, an aversion to futility, and a desire to create and improve. Veblen argues it's a fundamental driver of human progress and technological development.
Evolution of Industrial Arts and Technology
Veblen traces how human productive technologies (industrial arts) develop and change across different cultural stages, from primitive tool-making to complex machine processes. He emphasizes that this evolution is not purely linear or rational but deeply intertwined with the prevailing social institutions and human instincts.
Social Institutions and Cultural Evolution
Veblen argues that human instincts, particularly workmanship, are not expressed in a vacuum but are always mediated and shaped by the prevailing social institutions (e.g., property rights, class structures, religious beliefs, political systems). He examines how these institutions evolve and, in turn, influence the direction and character of industrial arts.

Worth discussing

How does Veblen's concept of the 'instinct of workmanship' challenge or complement modern understandings of human motivation and economic behavior?

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