In the book: The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, Max Weber presents a study of the relations between ascetic Protestantism ethics and the advent of the modern spirit of capitalism. The religious thoughts of assemblies played a significant role in the emergence of the spirit of capitalism. Weber (2013) begins by observing the relationship between being engaged in business and being a Protestant, and declares his intention of exploring religion as a probable cause of the present economic conditions. He contends that the modern capitalistic spirit recognizes “profit as an end in itself, and pursuing profit as virtuous” (Weber, 2013). Weber’s primary objective is to cognize the basis of this spirit; he explores Protestantism seeking for a potential elucidation.
Protestantism presents an impression of the earthly "calling," and offers earthly action a religious appeal. Even though it is essential, this alone cannot justify the need to pursue profit. Calvinism, a division of Protestantism, offers a justification (Weber, 2013). Calvinist believe in pre-destination; the claim that the fate of every individual has already been determined by God. As Calvinism advanced, an intense psychological need for inklings about whether a persona was really saved emerged and Calvinists examined their success in earthly action for those inklings. Therefore, they began valuing material success and profit as an indication of God’s errand. Other religious assemblies, such as the Baptist sects, Methodists, and Pietists had similar views (Weber, 2013). Weber contends that this new perspective broke down the conventional economic system, flagging modern capitalism. Nevertheless, once capitalism materialized, the Protestant principles became obsolete, the Protestant ethics took a course of its own. As a result, the spirit of capitalism is largely magnificent because it is very imperative for present economic activity.
Discussion questions
- If the life of an individual is based on capitalism, does it ever attain an internal affinity?
- Is the argument that Calvinist values were the forces behind the ethic, which resulted in the emergence of capitalism justified?
References
Weber, M. (2013). The Protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism. Lexington, Ky: Renaissance Classics
