In praise of caste: A tribute to manu the law giver an enquiry into the philosophy of work and stratification Part II

Abstract

The Part I of this paper (W.P. 928) analyses the question: 'How is one work different from the other?' and proposes seven basic and thirteen other supplementary/corollary propositions. According to these, each work has mental and manual components. Higher the mental component in a work, higher is the rating of the work, and accordingly the status of the worker. Secondly, greater the hurt caused to senses by the manual component in a work, lower is the rating of that work, and accordingly the status of worker. Thirdly, greater the difference between the inherent, rating associated status (ascribed status) and the status actually enjoyed (achieved or imposed), higher will be the tension in an organization/society. These and other propositions indicate that as long as the Rating-Status Equity Law operates there is harmony.

This paper continues the analysis and brings out the following propositions: 1. The lower the rating of work, higher is the sacrifice of potential of human mind; 2. Greater the intervention of technology greater will be the reduction in the inequality in sacrifice. 3. Higher the rating of work, greater will be the intrinsic reward one can expect from the self to the self. 4. Greater the expectation of external reward for mental work, higher will be the disharmony. 5. Greater the indirect rewards evolved to compensate the sacrifice involved in manual work, greater will be the harmony in an organization/ society.