Religion According To Max Weber Essay, Research Paper
Religion can lead to social change Analysis of relationships between religion and
development of capitalism Study of world religions (Confucianism and
Hinduism particularly) and how they may have hindered development of
capitalism Study of charisma and its importance in
initiating process of social change Protestantism
and Capitalism Whereas Marx believes change is brought about by structural
causes (technology, distribution of wealth etc), Weber believes that ideas can
be result and cause of change Process of social change involves
structural change and changes in ideas, without one causing the other. Relationship between religion and
capitalism: ?????????????????? ?????????????????? ????????? ????????? =Protestant
Ethic ?????????????????? ?????????????????? ????????? ????????? =Spirit of
Capitalism ?????????????????? ?????????????????? ????????? ????????? =Religious
salvation Certain religious beliefs and
practices played crucial role in development of capitalism Few thinkers took this
perspective seriously before Weber: Religion radical force for social change
rather than conservative force. Weber
and Marx agree on definition of capitalism Protestant
Work Ethic CALVIN: People
pre-chosen as to whether they go to hea
Calvin that one could not do good works or perform acts of faith to assure your
place in heaven. You were either among the "elect"
(in which case you were in) or you were not. However, wealth was taken as a
sign (by you and your neighbours) that you were one of the God’s elect,
thereby providing encouragement for people to acquire wealth. The protestant ethic therefore
provided religious sanctions that fostered a spirit of rigorous discipline,
encouraging men to apply themselves rationally to acquire wealth. Religion allowed capitalism to
develop, as it doesn?t discourage it Weber doesn?t think Protestantism
caused capitalism LUTHER: All
activities as religious as the next as long as they are carried out with
seriousness and hard work. Links with spirit of capitalism ?
protestant work ethic – hard work receives religious justification in the form
of protestant ethic. Churches don?t usually represent
the poor, underprivileged Sects appeal more to poorer
groups Charismatic people begin to tear
away into sectarian from churches WEBER:
unstable because of possibilities of failure, leader may die etc. They can choose by heredity who
is next leader OR Routinization ? new leader must
have criteria/qualifications/experience