Reeves on 'Those that can must'

The Virtue of Labour or the Chains of Capital?

Karl Heinrich Marx would see the claim that everyone must work as a form of ideological control, designed to disguise the economic compulsion built into capitalism. What appears as a moral duty is, in his view, a way of maintaining the social order by convincing people to consent to their own exploitation. The insistence on work for all, transforms a system of necessity, where individuals must sell their labour to survive, into a supposed virtue, thus keeping the working class bound to the rhythms and needs of capital, while believing they are fulfilling a social or ethical obligation.

Labour as Necessity, Not Freedom

Hannah Arendt would argue that the insistence that everyone must work reduces human life to the realm of necessity and survival, leaving little space for freedom or meaningful action. By treating work as the central measure of a citizen's value, society risks erasing the public realm where people appear, speak, and act together. For Arendt, true freedom arises not from labour but from the capacity to act and participate in the world. When work becomes a moral or civic imperative, it can dominate life and obscure opportunities for thought, dialogue, and political engagement.

Work as a Moral Trap

Bertrand Russell would argue that the belief everyone must work is a relic of outdated morality that treats labour as a virtue in itself rather than a necessity. He believed that technological progress should have freed people from long hours of toil, allowing time for leisure, creativity, and reflection. By insisting that work is the primary measure of a person's value, society keeps individuals bound to routines that do not serve their well‑being. In Russell’s view, equating virtue with constant labour risks turning citizens into willing participants in their own servitude.

Work as a Moral and Civic Responsibility

From the perspective of John Locke, the idea that those who can work must do so represents both a moral and civic obligation essential for a functioning society. Work allows individuals to contribute meaningfully to the common good, while benefiting from the protections and opportunities provided by the state. By encouraging active participation, society ensures fairness, social stability, and the maintenance of public institutions that serve everyone. In this view, the expectation to work is not coercion but a recognition that freedom and rights carry responsibilities, and that a thriving society depends on the engagement and effort of all its members.

Practical Philosophy: Coping with the Duty to Work

For most people, the idea that 'those who can work must' can feel stressful or even oppressive, but practical philosophy offers ways to navigate it. Work can be seen as a contribution rather than a punishment, a way to participate in the shared world and support family, community or society. At the same time, it is important to balance necessity with freedom, making space for thought, creativity and leisure. Focusing on what you can control, your effort, attitude and the meaningful ways you engage, helps reduce the sense of coercion. Even routine tasks can gain purpose if approached as part of a bigger goal, whether learning, helping others or creating stability. Remembering that work is a shared responsibility frames it not as punishment but as cooperation, supporting fairness and the common good. By seeing work through this lens, it becomes a part of life that can be fulfilling without diminishing autonomy or purpose.