The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism discusses the relationship between the ethics of Protestantism and the modern capitalistic spirit. Weber argues that the religious ideas of groups, specifically Calvinists, played a role in the emergence of the capitalist spirit. He makes note that there is a relationship between Protestant ideals and being involved in business and economics. Weber considers that religion may be a potential cause of the modern economic conditions. He sees profit as an ends and as virtuous in modern capitalism. Weber notes that Protestantism has a worldly calling and gives worldly activity a religious character. Calvinists believe in predestination and as Calvinism developed, a deep need for clues about whether one was actually saved arose, and Calvinists looked to their success in worldly activity for those clues; profit and material success were considered signs of God's favor. Other religious groups - Pietists, Methodists, and Baptists – also valued worldly success as clues of God’s favor. Weber concludes that this reformed the traditional economic system into modern capitalism.
I feel that Weber’s findings can be linked to the cause of the modern capitalistic spirit, however, greed is considered a sin to many religious groups, and seeking profit for profit’s sake is a form of greed. This also leads to envy, another sin, as people want what others have, in this case, profit and success. Pride in one’s success is also a considered a sin. It is to be noted that greed, envy, and pride are considered among the seven deadly sins, which are specific to Catholicism and not Protestantism, but the ideas that these attributes inhibit love and virtue can be cross-denominational. So, if we look to religion as a source of the capitalistic spirit, specific ideas seem to fit. However the nature of humans to tend towards feelings of greed, envy, and pride can also be the source of the modern capitalistic motivations and spirit.
Weber is not wrong in his findings, just not fully correct, at least in my opinion.
I agree with you that Weber did not seem to look at the full picture; that success leads to envy. It is interesting to think that according to Weber a "calling" can lead to ideas and behaviors that go against the teachings of the Protestant church
ReplyDeleteI also found it interesting that God and greed are equated in some way. Jesus would probably have frowned upon such a connection. The old testament talks about the value of hard work, but debt is considered a big sin. I find it interesting that people always justify their behaviors by changing their religious beliefs.
ReplyDeleteMy last post was added by changing my browser to safari. Sorry it was late, but msn would not work.
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