The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism - Max Weber
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Weber
Christian religious devotion had historically been accompanied by rejection of mundane affairs, including economic pursuit.[78] Weber showed that certain types of Protestantism – notably Calvinism –
were supportive of rational pursuit of economic gain and worldly
activities dedicated to it, seeing them as endowed with moral and
spiritual significance.[65] Weber argued that there were many reasons to look for the origins of modern capitalism in the religious ideas of the Reformation.[79] In particular, the Protestant ethic
(or more specifically, Calvinist ethic) motivated the believers to work
hard, be successful in business and reinvest their profits in further
development rather than frivolous pleasures.[76] The notion of calling
meant that each individual had to take action as an indication of their
salvation; just being a member of the Church was not enough.[66] Predestination also reduced agonising over economic inequality and further, it meant that a material wealth could be taken as a sign of salvation in the afterlife.[76][80]
The believers thus justified pursuit of profit with religion, as
instead of being fuelled by morally suspect greed or ambition, their
actions were motivated by a highly moral and respected philosophy.[76]
This Weber called the "spirit of capitalism": it was the Protestant
religious ideology that was behind – and inevitably led to – the
capitalist economic system.[76] This theory is often viewed as a reversal of Marx's thesis that the economic "base" of society determines all other aspects of it.[65]
The Religion of India: The Sociology of Hinduism and Buddhism
The Religion of India: The Sociology of Hinduism and Buddhism
was Weber's third major work on the sociology of religion. In this work
he deals with the structure of Indian society, with the
orthodox doctrines of
Hinduism and the
heterodox doctrines of
Buddhism,
with modifications brought by the influence of popular religiosity and
finally with the impact of religious beliefs on the secular ethic of
Indian society.
[86] Like Confucianism in China, for Weber, Hinduism in India was a barrier for capitalism.
[80] The
Indian caste system made it very difficult for individuals to advance in the society beyond their caste.
[80] Activity, including economic activity, was seen as unimportant in the context of the advancement of the
soul.
[80]
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