Interesting. Shokunin reminds me of a Ancient Greek virtue of arete: the virtue of [striving for] excellence. As I understand, the context and function somewhat evolved with time, starting pre-Socratic. the core aspect of the virtue was to strive for excellence in whatever one pursued. That could be in barrel-making, raking, being a student, being a teacher, or even a being politician/general.
With Aristotle, he fit it in the his system of virtue ethics. And to him, a focus on being virtuous was key to eudaemonia, or “wellbeing”. Although I wonder how important it is varies on how hierarchically limiting a society is. If you are limited as Sisyphus, there is nothing else to focus on.
Gandhi was drawing on a well known strand in Indian philosophy of doing the work sincerely without thinking/worrying about the outcome - this is a way of 'divinizing' work & everyday life. Japan is the country that comes closest to embracing this, as you point out & what Wenders captures so well in Perfect days.
Loved this piece. In addition to this "vertical excellence" , i often notice a lateral dimension where some also actively seek out more to do. For example, a housekeeper finishing early on a light day and then looking out to dust neglected corners or reorganize cutlery. Self driven excellence and craftsmanship.
Interesting. Shokunin reminds me of a Ancient Greek virtue of arete: the virtue of [striving for] excellence. As I understand, the context and function somewhat evolved with time, starting pre-Socratic. the core aspect of the virtue was to strive for excellence in whatever one pursued. That could be in barrel-making, raking, being a student, being a teacher, or even a being politician/general.
With Aristotle, he fit it in the his system of virtue ethics. And to him, a focus on being virtuous was key to eudaemonia, or “wellbeing”. Although I wonder how important it is varies on how hierarchically limiting a society is. If you are limited as Sisyphus, there is nothing else to focus on.
Nice to see thiat striving for excellence is cross-culturally valued!
Gandhi was drawing on a well known strand in Indian philosophy of doing the work sincerely without thinking/worrying about the outcome - this is a way of 'divinizing' work & everyday life. Japan is the country that comes closest to embracing this, as you point out & what Wenders captures so well in Perfect days.
Loved this piece. In addition to this "vertical excellence" , i often notice a lateral dimension where some also actively seek out more to do. For example, a housekeeper finishing early on a light day and then looking out to dust neglected corners or reorganize cutlery. Self driven excellence and craftsmanship.