The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism: A Natural Scientific Critique

Razzell, Peter

doi:10.2307/589706

Cited by 11 publications

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“…Even though there are some particular logics mentioned, some critics have stated some critical analysis. Razzell (1977) states that Weber rejected to define and explain the universal generalization and was particularly averse to the application of evolutionary concepts. His methodology was incapable of explaining the results and he was found by the logic of his own analysis.…”

Section: Critiquesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Protestantism; Spirit of Capitalism and Inequality

Giri

2022

J. Interdis. Stud.

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Max Weber, a German Sociologist, clearly states that one of the key factors of capitalism is the Protestantism and its religious values. He critically argues that the religious ideas and concepts of groups like Protestants promoted the capitalistic spirit. He further explores that the religion is one of the key causes of the modern economic conditions. Even though there are some critiques and opponent views, he states protestant (Calvinism) helped to bring a dimension and a stage for the social development of capitalism. Therefore, it was a first major analysis of the effect of religion to form an economic system because Protestantism was one supporting factor for the Capitalistic spirit which also led inequality.

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Section: Critiquesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Protestantism; Spirit of Capitalism and Inequality

Giri

2022

J. Interdis. Stud.

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“…R. J. Holton () challenges critics of Weber who argued that capitalist institutions existed before the Reformation by pointing out that Weber recognized these early elements of capitalism but meant that the full panoply of modern rational capitalism had not developed until the impact of Protestantism. Peter Razzell () rejects critiques that show that Protestants/Puritans were opposed to wealth seeking by saying that Weber has sometimes been misunderstood as arguing that the ethical teachings of Protestantism were the direct source of the spirit of capitalism rather than the correct idea that Weber links the spirit of capitalism to the indirect psychological effects of Protestant theological ideas that changed behavior in an orderly, logical, and methodical direction. R. H. Tawney () supports Weber's idea that a change in religious doctrine released the capitalist spirit but argues that it was the separation of “religious grace” from everyday activities rather than Weber's interpretation that capitalist activities became a component of “religious grace.”…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Protestant Reading Ethic and Variation in Its Effects

Mosher

2016

Sociological Forum

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Max Weber's thesis that a “Protestant ethic” in a subset of Protestant sects created a “spirit of capitalism” is often interpreted as an explanation for the increase in economic growth in the Protestant parts of the West before and during the industrial revolution. One alternative pathway through which Protestantism might have contributed to high economic performance is that it was Protestantism's promotion of literacy that led to higher economic growth and not behavioral changes due to a Protestant ethic as suggested by Weber. To evaluate the “Protestant reading ethic” thesis, this study examines historical events for the period from 1500 up to the 1800s in nine countries. The study also explores available cross‐national quantitative data on economic development and literacy for the same period. The qualitative and quantitative evidence supports the overall thesis that Protestantism promoted literacy and rises in literacy likely contributed to the economic development. The evidence also suggests that the impact of Protestantism on literacy varied depending on what actions were taken by Protestant states and Protestant national churches to promote literacy.

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Weber

Allen¹

2010

A Companion to the Philosophy of Action

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The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism: A Natural Scientific Critique

Cited by 11 publications

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Protestantism; Spirit of Capitalism and Inequality

Protestantism; Spirit of Capitalism and Inequality

The Protestant Reading Ethic and Variation in Its Effects

Weber

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