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Comparing The Protestant Ethic And The Spirit Of Capitalism By Max Weber

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The “calling” and ascetic restrictions played an integral role in the development of capitalism. Through the increased desire to work, methodical and rational planning, In “The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism,” Max Weber argues that the “calling” and ascetic restrictions removed the human nature – that is to work only as much as necessary for survival – from the economic system. Once established, capitalism slowly removed these religious ideas and maintained the work ethic and the mentality on acquiring money intact as they were necessary for its survival. From removing human nature to maintaining the values, we shall explain how capitalism has been formed and changed by protestant religious idea; to become the capitalism we know …show more content…

In other words, a man only wants to have the comforts he has grown accustomed to and if given the choice, will only work just enough to still afford the comforts he enjoys. How then, does capitalism take shape? Through the protestant faith, this “nature” begins to dwindle as a need for salvation becomes prevalent among protestant followers. Salvation as it is understood here, can only be achieved by glorifying God through work. This work comes to be known as the “calling,” which describes each individuals “life-task” as each individual’s form of labor. Through this labor, salvation can be attained. The protestant faith goes on to explain how the labor is in fact glorifying God. If the labor in question creates wealth for the individual; it is a blessing and thus a sign of salvation from God. If however, wealth is attained through the pursuit of wealth itself, it is attributed to sin. There is then one other caveat, if the wealth is attained through glorifying works, but is then used to promote idleness or enjoyment not for the sake of glorifying God; it is attributed to sin. In other words, work is only glorifying God if it is done for the sake of work and nothing else. Since wealth was a sign of salvation from God, it made sense that protestant followers would attempt to make a profit to aid in their success of glorifying God, this lead to methodical and rational planning on all business

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