Thorstein Veblen’s Instincts in Human Behavior: Workmanship, Parenting, and Idle Curiosity
Thorstein Veblen, a brilliant thinker in the fields of economics and sociology, was deeply interested in understanding what drives human behavior. He believed that humans are not just shaped by external factors like society or environment but are also guided by inherent instincts. According to Veblen, instincts are innate tendencies or drives that influence how people think, act, and interact with the world around them. While many instincts play a role in shaping human behavior, Veblen identified three key instincts as particularly important: workmanship, parenting, and idle curiosity.
To understand Veblen’s perspective, it helps to think of instincts as natural inclinations that all humans have, regardless of their cultural background or social environment. These instincts do not operate in isolation but interact with each other and with external conditions to shape our behavior. Let us take a closer look at each of these instincts and how they influence human life.
The instinct of workmanship, as Veblen described it, is the drive to create, produce, and improve. Humans have a natural tendency to take pride in their work, whether it is crafting an object, solving a problem, or improving a process. This instinct is not just about doing a job to earn a living; it is about striving for excellence and finding satisfaction in the act of creation. For example, think about an artist who paints not just to sell their artwork but because they genuinely enjoy the process and feel fulfilled by it. Or consider a person who takes apart and rebuilds a machine simply to see if they can make it work better. These are expressions of the workmanship instinct.
Veblen believed that the instinct of workmanship is central to human progress. It drives innovation, creativity, and the development of new tools and technologies. However, he also noted that this instinct can be distorted in modern capitalist societies. When work becomes solely about profit or meeting quotas, people may lose their connection to the joy of creation and craftsmanship. This can lead to feelings of alienation, where individuals feel disconnected from the work they do.
The instinct of parenting is another fundamental drive that Veblen highlighted. This instinct is not just about raising children; it reflects a broader sense of care and responsibility for others. Parenting, in Veblen’s view, involves nurturing, protecting, and ensuring the well-being of those who depend on us. This instinct is evident in the way parents sacrifice their time, energy, and resources to provide for their children. But it is also visible in acts of kindness and care for others, whether it is helping a friend in need, volunteering in the community, or working to create a better future for the next generation.
Veblen believed that the parenting instinct plays a crucial role in maintaining social cohesion. It fosters empathy, cooperation, and a sense of shared responsibility. Without this instinct, society would struggle to function, as individuals would lack the drive to care for one another. However, like the instinct of workmanship, the parenting instinct can be influenced by external factors. For example, in societies where economic pressures dominate, people may feel forced to prioritize material success over caregiving, which can weaken social bonds and erode community life.
The third instinct Veblen identified is idle curiosity. This instinct refers to the human drive to explore, learn, and understand the world simply for the sake of knowing. Unlike the instinct of workmanship, which is focused on creation and improvement, idle curiosity is about discovery and inquiry. It is the reason why humans ask questions, seek out new experiences, and pursue knowledge even when there is no immediate practical benefit. For example, scientists conducting research on distant galaxies, children asking endless “why” questions, or travelers exploring new cultures are all expressing idle curiosity.
Veblen saw idle curiosity as a vital force behind human advancement. It is the source of scientific discoveries, philosophical insights, and cultural achievements. However, he also pointed out that this instinct can be stifled in environments that prioritize utility over exploration. When curiosity is dismissed as unproductive or when individuals are discouraged from asking questions, society loses out on the potential for innovation and growth.
What makes Veblen’s analysis of these instincts so fascinating is the way he connects them to broader social and economic systems. He argued that instincts like workmanship, parenting, and idle curiosity are universal, but they are shaped and influenced by the conditions of the societies in which people live. For instance, in a society that values consumerism and material success above all else, the instinct of workmanship may be overshadowed by the pressure to produce quickly and cheaply. Similarly, the parenting instinct may be challenged in environments where individuals are forced to prioritize work over family due to economic constraints. Idle curiosity, meanwhile, may struggle to thrive in rigid educational systems or in cultures that discourage questioning authority.
Veblen’s ideas also encourage us to reflect on how these instincts interact with each other. For example, the instinct of parenting may drive a person to work hard and tap into their workmanship instinct in order to provide for their family. Idle curiosity, on the other hand, may inspire individuals to seek out knowledge and skills that enhance their ability to care for others or create meaningful work. These instincts are not isolated forces; they work together in complex ways to shape human behavior and societal development.
In today’s world, Veblen’s insights into human instincts remain highly relevant. The instinct of workmanship is visible in the rise of the maker movement, where individuals take pride in crafting and creating with their hands. At the same time, this instinct is challenged by mass production and the growing detachment many workers feel from their jobs. The parenting instinct continues to be a powerful force, driving efforts to improve education, healthcare, and environmental sustainability for future generations. Idle curiosity, meanwhile, is thriving in the age of the internet, where access to information allows people to explore new ideas and connect with others across the globe.
However, modern challenges also highlight the ways in which these instincts can be distorted or suppressed. Economic inequality, for example, can undermine the parenting instinct by forcing individuals to focus on survival rather than caregiving. The commercialization of education and research can stifle idle curiosity by prioritizing profitable outcomes over the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake. Recognizing and nurturing these instincts is therefore essential for creating a society that supports human well-being and progress.
Thorstein Veblen’s exploration of human instincts reminds us that our behaviors are shaped by more than just external pressures or rational calculations. Workmanship, parenting, and idle curiosity are deeply ingrained in who we are as humans, driving us to create, care, and explore. By understanding these instincts and the ways in which they interact with society, we can gain valuable insights into how to build a world that honors and supports our natural tendencies.
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