Weber And Weber's Theory Of Protestantism

1). Weber and Marx views differ when it comes to their interpretations about the origins and dynamics of capitalism, Weber’s view focuses on the Protestant reformation and the spirit of capitalism in the west and how “the widespread influence of Protestantism after the reformation helped explain why full blown rational capitalism developed where and when it did” (Mcintosh pg. 115). Although he doesn’t believe that Protestantism caused for the creation of capitalism he does believe that Calvinism a branch of Protestantism plays a roll due to the effects it shaped upon these people and their protestant ethics. Mcintosh helps to explain that “in such a time the religious forces which express themselves through such channels are the decisive influences in the formation of national character” (Mcintosh pg. 122). In other words due to the asceticism and the spirit of capitalism amongst these religious followers they abstained from various worldly pleasures to obtain their spiritual “calling”. In decreasing pleasures and increasing work, production and profits, they were hopeful that they were increasing their chances of going to heaven due to their belief about predestination which states “in theology, the doctrine that all events have been willed by God. John Calvin interpreted biblical predestination to mean that God willed eternal damnation for some people and salvation for others” (www.wikipedia.com). Thus they followed the doctrine precisely, which they believed could possibly decrease their chances of being the individuals who were damned to hell. Although Wesley argued “I fear that wherever riches have increased, the essence of religion has decreased in the same proportion. So although the form of religion remains, the spirit i...

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...y a concern with numerical data, i.e. statistics and scoring” (educationportal.com).
3). One concept that Weber would disagree with Durkheim about is his attitude towards functionalism, Durkheim believed that coherence versus class conflict helps to define a society, and Durkheim towards Weber would argue that conflict is inevitable. Weber believed that class conflict was essential within a society’s social order and opposing opinions were necessary. In my opinion Durkheim would agree with Weber’s view on religion due to a more modern society being based upon just that which helps to view it in a way in which society must depend upon religion like a political system. Weber would agree with Durkheim about empiricism which states “that knowledge comes only or primarily from sensory experience” (wikipedia.com/empiricism). relating to his own view on rationalization.