摘要：In this paper, the author, reinterpreting the findings of a number of research projects concerning young people's attitudes towards work, indicates the need for a critical consideration of the extracted dominant choices for the »orientation towards self-actualization«. The author pleads for a partial abandonment of the usual »vertical« proceeding in the research of work values, juxtaposing the »depth« approach; in other words, instead of established a hierarchy of different values — a separate consideration of individual orientations towards work is preferred. With precisely this aim in mind, an attempt is made in the text to uncover the meaning of the categories of self-actualization in work, and to confirm the presupposition concerning the aspirational character of self-actualization. Namely, an obvious gap between what young people want and can achieve in their work, regarding the discrepancy of needs and potential, leads to dissatisfaction; in other words, giving preference to intrinsic work values can be interpreted as a specific young generation’s appeal for the change of social conditions. In this context, intrinsic work values have the function of criticism of all that exists.
