The Fallacy of Ben Shapiro's "Work Until You Die" Mentality
In a recent video posted to X, conservative commentator Ben Shapiro argued that the current retirement age of 65 in the United States is “insane” and that “no one should be retiring at 65 years old.” (never mind that GenX’s retirement date has been pushed out to 67) He further suggested that retirement itself is a “stupid idea” unless one “has health problems.” As an autistic person with multiple health challenges, I find myself approaching the average life expectancy for individuals on the spectrum, acutely aware of the limited time I may have left. Indeed, I’m well past my “best by” date. From this perspective, I believe Shapiro’s stance is not only misguided but also perpetuates a harmful narrative that prioritises capitalistic ideals over the well-being of individuals and the value of each life stage.
Shapiro’s argument is rooted in the notion that increased life expectancy necessitates raising the retirement age, disregarding the fact that advances in technology, automation, and productivity have made it possible for society to support longer retirement periods without overburdening the system. Moreover, his dismissal of retirement as a “stupid idea” fails to recognise the importance of this life stage for personal fulfillment, family life, and overall well-being.
As someone who has faced numerous health challenges, I understand the importance of valuing each stage of life and the contributions individuals can make to their communities beyond their professional roles. The auld Gaelic cycle of life, which recognises the maiden, mother, and crone stages, provides a valuable framework for understanding the significance of each phase and the wisdom that can be gained through lived experiences. (yes, I know that the Triple Goddess motif / archtype pre-dates the Celts / Gaels, and that there’s a masculine version …)
Today, I will critique Shapiro’s “work until you die” mentality, drawing upon the Gaelic cycle of life perspective and examples of retirement practices from around the world. By examining the fallacy of his argument and the potential harm it causes, I aim to emphasise the importance of creating a society that respects the dignity of all individuals and values the contributions of each life stage.
Explanation of the Gaelic life cycle (ógh, máthair, cailleach)
The Gaelic Cycle of Life, rooted in ancient Celtic culture, offers a perspective that challenges Ben Shapiro’s “work until you die” mentality by recognising three distinct stages of a person’s life: the maiden (ógh), the mother (máthair), and the crone (cailleach). Each stage is associated with specific qualities, roles, and contributions to the community. The ógh stage represents youth, exploration, and potential, a time of learning, growth, and self-discovery. The maiden brings fresh perspectives, energy, and innovation to the community, contributing to its growth and adaptability. The máthair stage is characterised by nurturing, creativity, and the responsibilities of caretaking. The mother’s nurturing qualities help to sustain and strengthen the community, ensuring its continuity and vitality through the birth of new ideas, projects, and relationships.
The cailleach stage embodies wisdom, experience, and the role of a sage or mentor. The crone’s wisdom and experience serve as a guiding light for the community, helping to preserve cultural heritage, resolve conflicts, and provide a sense of continuity and stability through insights and mentorship. This life cycle perspective challenges Shapiro’s view by recognising the value of each stage and the inherent worth and contributions of individuals at every phase of life. It emphasises the importance of wisdom and mentorship, contradicting Shapiro’s focus on continuous work and productivity. The Gaelic cycle of life celebrates the richness and diversity of human experience, acknowledging that personal growth, family, and community involvement are essential aspects of a fulfilling life, not just work and economic contributions.
By viewing life through the lens of the Gaelic cycle of life, we can appreciate the importance of each stage and the unique contributions individuals make to their communities throughout their lives. This perspective challenges Shapiro’s narrow focus on work and productivity, reminding us that the value of a person extends far beyond their economic output. It encourages us to embrace the wisdom and experiences of the cailleach, the nurturing and creativity of the máthair, and the potential and innovation of the ógh, recognising that each stage plays a vital role in the overall well-being and continuity of the community.
Critiquing Shapiro’s Argument
Ben Shapiro’s argument that the current retirement age should be raised due to increased life expectancy is fundamentally flawed. Whilst it is true that advances in healthcare and technology have led to longer lifespans, this does not necessarily mean that people should be required to work until they reach an older age. In fact, the very same advances that have increased life expectancy have also made it possible for society to support longer retirement periods. Improvements in technology, automation, and productivity have allowed for greater efficiency and output, reducing the need for individuals to work well into their later years. Society has the capacity to provide for its members during their retirement without overburdening the system, and it is a matter of prioritising the well-being of people over purely economic considerations.
Moreover, Shapiro’s view overlooks the importance of retirement beyond mere financial sustainability. Retirement is a crucial stage of life that allows individuals to pursue personal fulfillment, enjoy the fruits of their labor, and contribute to their families and communities in meaningful ways. It is a time for people to explore new hobbies, travel, volunteer, and spend quality time with loved ones. These experiences are essential for maintaining mental and physical health, fostering a sense of purpose, and creating a rich and rewarding life. By dismissing the value of retirement, Shapiro’s argument fails to recognize the holistic needs of individuals and the benefits that a well-supported retirement period can bring to society as a whole.
The “work until you die” mentality espoused by Shapiro is not only misguided but also harmful. It prioritises profits and economic output over the well-being and dignity of people, treating them as mere cogs in a machine rather than as human beings with inherent worth and the right to a fulfilling life. This mindset perpetuates a culture of overwork and burnout, leading to increased stress, health problems, and a diminished quality of life. It fails to acknowledge the importance of work-life balance, rest, and leisure in maintaining physical and mental health, as well as fostering creativity, innovation, and social connections. By pushing people to work until they die, this mentality robs them of the opportunity to enjoy the later stages of life and to pass on their wisdom and experience to younger generations.
In light of these considerations, it is clear that Shapiro’s argument for raising the retirement age is misguided and fails to take into account the complex realities of human life and well-being. Instead of forcing people to work longer, we should be focusing on creating a society that values and supports individuals throughout all stages of their lives, recognising the unique contributions and needs of each phase. By prioritising the health, happiness, and fulfillment of people over narrow economic interests, we can build a more just, compassionate, and sustainable world for all.
Retirement Age Practices Around the World
Retirement age practices vary significantly around the world, with different countries adopting policies that reflect their unique social, economic, and cultural contexts. By examining these diverse approaches, we can gain valuable insights into how different societies view the role of retirement and the importance of supporting individuals throughout all stages of life.
In some countries, such as Japan and South Korea, the retirement age is set at a relatively high level, with many individuals working well into their late 60s or even early 70s. These societies often place a strong emphasis on the value of work and the importance of contributing to the economy, even in later life. However, this approach can also lead to challenges, such as a lack of opportunities for younger generations and a sense of social isolation among older individuals who may feel pressured to continue working.
In contrast, other countries, such as France and Germany, have adopted policies that prioritise early retirement and a strong social safety net. These societies recognise the importance of leisure, family time, and personal fulfillment in later life, and they provide generous pension benefits and support services to ensure that individuals can enjoy a comfortable and dignified retirement. Whilts these policies can place a greater financial burden on the state, they also promote a more balanced and humane approach to aging and retirement.
Importantly, many countries around the world have also recognised the value of multi-generational family structures in supporting individuals throughout all stages of life. In societies where children, parents, and grandparents live together in the same household, there are often greater opportunities for the younger generations to benefit from the wisdom, experience, and guidance of their elders. This intergenerational exchange can help to foster a sense of continuity, belonging, and purpose, and it can provide a vital source of support and care for older individuals as they age.
Moreover, multi-generational living arrangements can help to alleviate some of the financial and social burdens associated with retirement, as younger family members can provide practical assistance and companionship to their older relatives. This can reduce the need for costly institutional care and promote a greater sense of independence and autonomy among older individuals.
By studying retirement age practices around the world and recognising the importance of multi-generational family structures, we can identify valuable lessons and best practices for supporting individuals throughout all stages of life. These insights can help to inform more compassionate and effective policies that prioritise the well-being and dignity of people over narrow economic interests, and that recognize the unique contributions and needs of each generation.
Ultimately, the goal should be to create a society that values and supports individuals at every stage of life, from the maiden to the mother to the crone. By embracing a more holistic and intergenerational approach to retirement and aging, we can build a world in which all people have the opportunity to live fulfilling, purposeful, and connected lives, regardless of their age or stage of life.
Acknowledging Diverse Occupations and Individual Circumstances
Shapiro’s blanket statement that “no one should be retiring at 65 years old” fails to acknowledge the diverse range of occupations and individual circumstances that can significantly impact a person’s ability to work well into their later years. His perspective, coming from a position of privilege as a wealthy lawyer and podcaster, may not fully grasp the challenges faced by those in more physically or mentally demanding professions.
For individuals employed in trades such as construction, manufacturing, or agriculture, the physical toll of their work can be substantial. Years of manual labour, often in hazardous conditions, can lead to chronic pain, injuries, and disabilities that make it increasingly difficult to continue working as they age. Similarly, occupations that involve high levels of stress, such as emergency services or healthcare, can take a significant mental and emotional toll, leading to burnout and other psychological health issues.
Moreover, many individuals face additional challenges that can affect their ability to work later in life, such as health problems, caregiving responsibilities, or limited job opportunities in their field. For example, someone who has battled cancer or other serious illnesses may find it difficult to maintain full-time employment, even if they have not yet reached the traditional retirement age. Similarly, those who are responsible for caring for elderly parents or disabled family members may need to reduce their work hours or leave the workforce altogether to fulfill these obligations.
Given these diverse occupational and individual circumstances, it is clear that a one-size-fits-all approach to retirement age is neither practical nor compassionate. Instead, there is a need for a more flexible and nuanced approach that takes into account the unique needs and challenges faced by different workers.
This could involve implementing policies that allow for earlier retirement or reduced work hours for those in physically or mentally demanding professions, as well as providing support and accommodations for those with health issues or caregiving responsibilities. It may also require rethinking our societal attitudes towards work and retirement, recognising that the value and contributions of individuals extend beyond their economic output.
Shapiro’s “let them eat cake” attitude towards retirement, as a wealthy individual who has likely experienced far less stress and hardship in his own career, fails to recognise the lived realities of many workers who have toiled in difficult and demanding conditions for decades. His view is not only insensitive but also perpetuates a narrow and dehumanising view of work and retirement that prioritises profits over people.
Instead, we must strive for a more compassionate and equitable approach that acknowledges the diverse needs and experiences of all workers, and that provides the support and flexibility necessary for individuals to age with dignity and security, regardless of their occupation or circumstances. By recognising the value and contributions of all individuals, at every stage of life and in every field of work, we can build a more just and humane society that truly values the well-being of all its members.
Envisioning a Society That Values the Entirety of the Cycle of Life
In order to create a society that truly values and supports individuals throughout all stages of life, we must fundamentally rethink the way we approach work, retirement, and social welfare. The current “earn a living” mentality, perpetuated by capitalist ideals, reduces human worth to mere economic output and fails to recognise the inherent value and dignity of every person, regardless of their age or ability to contribute to the workforce.
By strengthening social security systems and improving access to affordable healthcare, we can provide a strong foundation for individuals to thrive and age with security and dignity. This means investing in robust pension programs, ensuring that all people have access to quality medical care, and providing support services and resources for those with disabilities or chronic health conditions. These measures are essential for creating a society that values the well-being of all its members, not just those who are actively contributing to the economy.
Moreover, promoting policies that support work-life balance and personal fulfillment can help to shift our societal priorities away from the narrow pursuit of profit and towards a more holistic understanding of human flourishing. This could involve implementing shorter work weeks, mandatory paid leave for caregiving and personal development, and greater flexibility in work arrangements to accommodate the diverse needs and circumstances of individuals. By recognising that there is more to life than work, and that people have a right to pursue their passions and enjoy leisure time, we can create a society that values the richness and complexity of the human experience.
Central to this vision is the recognition of the value of all life stages, including the maiden, mother, and crone (Triple Goddess) stages celebrated in the Gaelic tradition. In a society that truly values people over profit, the wisdom, experience, and contributions of older generations would be celebrated and revered, rather than dismissed or marginalised. The nurturing and caregiving work often associated with the mother stage would be properly compensated and supported, rather than taken for granted or undervalued. And the curiosity, creativity, and potential of the maiden stage would be fostered and encouraged, rather than exploited or suppressed.
Ultimately, the future we were promised by optimistic visions like “The Jetsons” is one in which technology and automation are harnessed to liberate people from the drudgery of menial work and to provide a higher quality of life for all. Rather than using these advances to further concentrate wealth and power in the hands of a few, we could choose to distribute the benefits more equitably, allowing everyone to enjoy more leisure time, pursue their passions, and contribute to their communities in meaningful ways.
This vision of a society that values life and prioritises people over profit is not a utopian fantasy, but a real possibility that we can strive towards through collective action and a fundamental reordering of our priorities. By rejecting the narrow and dehumanising logic of capitalism, and embracing a more compassionate and holistic understanding of human worth and potential, we can create a world in which all people, at every stage of life, are valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.
Final thoughts …
To wrap this up, Ben Shapiro’s argument that people should work until they die is not only fallacious but also deeply misguided and harmful. His view, rooted in a narrow capitalist mindset, fails to recognise the inherent worth and dignity of human life, reducing individuals to mere economic units whose value is determined solely by their productivity (let’s not forget the eugenics angle to this mindset). This perspective ignores the rich tapestry of human experience, the diverse needs and circumstances of different individuals, and the importance of valuing and supporting people throughout all stages of life.
Just as the moon waxes and wanes in its celestial dance, moving through the phases embodied by the three Horae, so too do human beings grow and change throughout their lives, taking on different roles and responsibilities as they age. Each phase of life, from the youthful maiden to the nurturing mother to the wise crone, brings its own unique challenges and opportunities, and each is essential to the overall health and well-being of individuals and communities alike.
To suggest that people should “work until they die” is to deny the value and significance of these different life stages, and to rob individuals of the chance to fully embrace and explore the many facets of their existence. It is to reduce the complexity and beauty of human life to a mere economic calculation, and to prioritise the interests of capital over the needs and desires of real people.
Instead, we must reject this “work until you die” mentality and strive to create a society that respects the dignity and worth of all individuals, regardless of their age or ability to contribute to the workforce. This means providing strong social safety nets, ensuring access to quality healthcare and education, and promoting policies that support work-life balance and personal fulfillment. It means recognising and valuing the contributions of all life stages, from the energy and creativity of the young to the wisdom and experience of the old.
Just as the earth would be a barren and lifeless place without the waxing and waning of the moon, so too would our society be diminished and impoverished without the full participation and contributions of all its members, at every stage of their lives. By embracing a more holistic and compassionate vision of human worth and potential, we can create a world in which all people are valued, supported, and empowered to thrive, and in which the richness and diversity of human experience is celebrated and upheld.