40 pages 1 hour read

Max Weber

The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1905

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism by Max Weber examines how religious doctrines of various Protestant sects influenced the development of capitalist attitudes toward work and money. Weber argues that Protestant asceticism and the notion of a "calling," particularly shaped by Calvinist predestination, led to a work ethic that evolved into the secular spirit of capitalism.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Max Weber's The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism is praised for its groundbreaking analysis of the relationship between religion and economic development. Critics value its interdisciplinary approach but note its dense prose and challenging concepts. While some find it transformative, others feel it overemphasizes Protestantism's role in capitalism's rise.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism?

A reader who enjoys The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism by Max Weber is likely interested in sociology, economics, and religious studies. Similar readers may appreciate Karl Marx's Das Kapital or Émile Durkheim's The Division of Labor in Society, which also explore the intersection of social structures and economic systems.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Topics

Sociology

Business / Economics

History: World

Themes

Society: Economics

Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality

Genre

Social Science

Philosophy

Classic Fiction