The main object of this study is to find out whether the differences betweenclassical and medieval thinking about work occupations and technology are sosignific... » 

The main object of this study is to find out whether the differences betweenclassical and medieval thinking about work occupations and technology are sosignificant that we are justified in speaking of a real break between Antiquityand the Middle Ages in this connection or whether there is a possiblecontinuity of ideas. From a comparative perspective five themes are beingresearched to shed light on this question. In the first two chapters theauthor looks into the traditional view of negative ideas about work inAntiquity. Chapter three subsequently deals with monks and their attitudetowards labour. In chapter four the place of the socalled artes mechanicae inmedieval classifications of knowledge is being studied. In chapter five we findan analysis of twelfthcentury sermons ad status. These three chaptersprincipally deal with the question whether Christianity brought about a changein attitude towards work. «