Veblen Instinct of workmanship pages 6-8

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 Veblen Pg. 6-8


Veblen starts this small section with the fact that while the “ends of life” or what we are all seeking is based on those instincts and the interactions of instincts; the how we achieve those ends is based on the humans ability to work things out in a means-end continuum.  He specifically writes that, “means of accomplishing those things which the instinctive proclivities so make worthwhile are a matter of intelligence” (pg.6)


However, he then makes some immediate qualifications on how people act in the “scheme of life”  and the ways in which humans devise and strategize in their actions is highly conditioned by “habits of thought”.  Veblen will argue that the means to achieve our ends (and the ends come from instincts) is also driven by some long and in some cases structurally rigid conceptualizations.  This is important because at first it seems that the ends are chosen for us but we use our intelligence and forethought to decide what means we will use to achieve those ends.  


The means to achieve an end are very much structured by the history of what others have done in the past that are known to current individuals.  These habits of thought turn into customs and then institutions.  Here we see that nod to the famous idea that Veblen has become known for that human habits and institutions become rigid and potentially inflexible even. 


It also appears that Vebln is essentially arguing that we actually lose sight of the teleology or bigger purpose for what we are trying to accomplish and habits and take a life of their own with their own immediate ends in sight.  Quoting from Veblen here, “it follows that in much of human conduct these proximate ends alone are present in consciousness as the object of interest and the goal of endeavor, and certain conventionally accepted ways and means come to be set up as definitive principles of what is right and good; while the ulterior purpose of it is all is only called to mind occasionally, it at all” (1914, pg. 8).


Thus a section that appeared to start out with the idea that human intelligence would at least guide our actions or means of achieving some pre-set ends is quickly set aside and we found ourselves acting out of habit and custom from traditions.

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