“The Spirit of Capitalism” can be described as a double bind in progressing society, according to Weber. While Weber is compared to Marx in this reading, it is clear that each man had their own thoughts about a capitalist society and whether or not it benefited individuals. While Marx felt that a capitalist society was harming to both the workers and the owners, Weber argues that a capitalist society shares in both negative and positive qualities. Weber could not refute that the double bind threatened the internal human spirit by the ever growing capitalist society. As the modern culture emerged so did a constant threat to humanity. People no longer worked to make a living and to survive comfortably; people worked to fulfill their own needs, desires and aspirations. Weber uses religion as a way to relate the emergence of a capitalistic society and why it has transformed. He argues that certain religious beliefs have caused people to see material gain as a reward from God, which has caused a capitalistic society.
The simple life is no longer satisfying and people work to compete in order to gain the most profit. This type of society has fueled self-interested motivation and Weber argues that it was depended on this attitude for its whole existence. The most important functions of society’s daily lives now are dependent on the individuals who are specifically trained technically and commercially to operate daily functions. The ethical orientation of capitalism has caused people to shift their daily and life goals towards earning the most or gaining the highest position in their field of work, it has clouded people’s views as to what is really important and what is simply material gain. Weber saw the growing urge of hard work as a double bind, and that “peoples changing attitude was causing many to work without ceasing and for little human benefit” (Lemert 64). With increased technological advances our society is rapidly changing and restructuring. Jobs that were useful and high paying fifty years ago have become obsolete and our citizens and economy must learn to transform to the changing times. It would be interesting to learn how Weber would explain people’s attitude towards the shift in job importance and how he would attribute the rapid changes to personal choice.
I asked the questions how times have changed so much over the years. I too think it would be interesting to hear Weber's view point on current society. In today's society so much has changed, that it has lead us to be how we are.
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