Protestant Ethics and the Spirit of Capitalism

Author: (German) Max Weber
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-02-01
Features: Max Weber points out in this book that the Protestant ethic, with its spirit of diligence, loyalty, dedication, and viewing wealth acquisition as a divine mission, contributed to the American economy. New York University finance professor Ferguson wrote in The New York Times: "Why does the American economy surpass Europe? The factors of faith and professionalism play a key role." Max Weber is one of the three founding figures of classical sociological theory in the modern era. This book reflects the general trend of Weber's thought. In a certain sense, Weber can be compared to Marx. Marx focuses on the economic base, while Weber emphasizes ideology, particularly the role of religion. In a society that excessively emphasizes competition, survival of the fittest, and deceit, it is how difficult it is to establish a rational economic ethic—honesty, trust, and responsibility. However, the Protestant spirit of diligence, loyalty, dedication, and viewing wealth acquisition as a divine mission summarized by Weber in this book is the capitalist way of life order that Western society took centuries to nurture. From this, we can see the immense spiritual force hidden behind the system.