Historian Niall Ferguson, tongue possibly in cheek, proposes an intriguing hypothesis to explain the widening differential between Western European and American work hours. He notes that the decline in European working hours —— due to an increase in holidays, vacation days, and limits on the work week — exactly coincides with the decline in religiosity in Western Europe. In place of the Protestant Work Ethic described by Max Weber, an atheist sloth ethic may have arisen.

I owe my friend Steve Bainbridge thanks for bringing Ferguson's article to my attention. Steve declines to comment, citing his own biases as a deeply religious man who happens to be both brilliant and hard—working (not that he is above the pleasures of wine, food and good fellowship — hey we've got at least that in common). But since I am not an officer of the court, I lack some of Steve's scruples and will offer my own thoughts.

Arguing in favor of the ASE as a causal factor is the logical connection between a lack of belief in an Ultimate Destination and a desire to take one's pleasures immediately in this life, for tomorrow we may die. If death brings only nothingness, then only a fool would defer pleasures. If you don't get it now, you might not get it all.

But then there are other factors to consider. Like the high marginal tax rates, which mean that incremental income can't buy you all that much, but (untaxed) vacation/leisure time delivers its pleasures fully. And the European substitute religion of equality and security for all. If you embrace the notion that nobody should get too far ahead of the others —— at least publicly — then why bother working those extra hours? You will only come into criticism for your over—ambitiousness.

All of these factors have in a common a sense of hopelessness and futility. And, that, I think, is closely related to a life without God. So, in the final sense, the ASE hypothesis of Professor Ferguson may have a great deal of substance to it.

Posted by Thomas   8 9 04