PROTESTANT ETHIC

Sociologyindex, Sociology Books 2011

Protestant ethic, or set of ideas, emerging in the 16th century, was cited by Max Weber (1864-1920) as an important influence in encouraging the development of capitalist society.

For Protestants, particularly those influenced by the ideas of John Calvin, obedience to God's will demanded energetic and enterprising work in one's occupation or ‘calling’.

Profits were morally justified as the reward for this hard work and, so long as they were not casually squandered on luxuries, the making of profit and the achievement of wealth was a just reward for dutiful and energetic work.

Max Weber argued that the ‘Protestant Ethic’ was so strongly supportive of capitalist development that countries where Protestantism became dominant quickly moved ahead of Catholic countries in their level of economic development.

Weber claimed that the Catholic church, in contrast, promoted ideas and attitudes that tended to obstruct economic development. Catholic doctrine stressed the importance of humility and acceptance of one's position in life, it discouraged pursuit of achievement by suggesting that seeking self-advancement was a distraction from pursuit of a good and moral life in preparation for eternal life after death.

The word 'Protestant' took root from the protests made by German princes at the Diet of Speyer in 1529. The Diet of Speyer voted to end the toleration of those who followed the teachings of Martin Luther within Germany.

Protestantism dates from the 16th century. History should be something that all Christians can learn from. The reformers saw themselves as returning to a bibliocentric form of Christianity and the reformation was seen by some as tragic, but still necessary. The core of Protestant teaching lies within the Five Soli (Latin: 'Alone').

Protestant doctrine, also known in continental European traditions as Evangelical doctrine, is in opposition to that of Roman Catholicism.

A number of those sections of the old Empire which were most highly developed economically and most favored by natural resources and situation, in particular a majority of the wealthy towns went over to Protestantism in the sixteenth century The results of that circumstance favor the Protestants even today in their strug gle for economic existence.

Protestantism is characterised by emphasis on the Bible as the sole source of infallible truth and the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith alone.

Protestants have traditionally encouraged private interpretation of the scriptures by individuals rather than relying on the interpretation of the church (as is the case in Roman Catholicism). Differing groups have emerged (e.g. Baptists, Lutherans and Methodists), each holding distinctive doctrines.

The fundamental principles of traditional Protestantism are the following:

• Supremacy of the Bible as the sole infallible authority.
  
• Justification by Faith Alone. Rather, by free grace through faith operative in good works.
  
• The universal priesthood of believers implies the right and duty of the Christian laity not only to read the Bible in the vernacular, but also to take part in the government and all the public affairs of the Church. It is opposed to the hierarchical system, which puts the essence and authority of the Church in an exclusive priesthood, and makes ordained priests the necessary mediators between God and the people. - Johann Jakob Herzog, Philip Schaff, Albert. The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge.

Books on The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism

The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism: and Other Writings (Penguin Twentieth-Century Classics) by Max Weber, Peter Baehr, and Gordon C. Wells (Paperback - April 30, 2002)
In The Protestant Ethic, Max Weber opposes the Marxist concept of dialectical materialism and relates the rise of the capitalist economy to the Calvinist belief in the moral value of hard work and the fulfillment of one's worldly duties. Based on the original 1905 edition, this volume includes, along with Weber's treatise, an illuminating introduction, a wealth of explanatory notes, and exemplary responses and remarks-both from Weber and his critics-sparked by publication of The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism.

The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism by Max Weber (Paperback - Sep 9, 2008)

The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism with Other Writings on the Rise of the West by Max Weber and Stephen Kalberg (Paperback - Sep 4, 2008)
For more than 100 years, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism has set the parameters for the debate over the origins of modern capitalism. Now more timely and thought-provoking than ever, this esteemed classic of twentieth-century social science examines the deep cultural "frame of mind" that influences work life to this day in northern America and Western Europe. Stephen Kalberg's internationally acclaimed translation captures the essence of Weber's style as well as the subtlety of his descriptions and causal arguments.
Now, for the first time in one volume, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism with Other Writings on the Rise of the West integrates Weber's exploration of the spirit of capitalism's origins with his larger project: a multi-causal analysis of the West's distinctiveness and its sources. Weber's texts present wide-ranging discussions on the Western city, state, forms of rulership and law, and modes of economic innovation. Moreover, in many selections Weber offers in-depth and insightful comparisons to China and India. Readings on the "economic ethics" of Confucianism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Catholicism further illuminate the distinct qualities of the West's trajectory and its diverse causes. A separate section examines the long-range influence of the ascetic Protestant sects and churches on American society.
To draw readers into the material, this engaging volume includes extended introductions by the editor, many new translations, a chronology of Weber's life, an expanded glossary and bibliography, and numerous clarifying endnotes. In addition, Kalberg addresses a variety of debates concerning the central elements of contemporary life. Ideal for courses in sociology, anthropology, political science, history, international relations, and economics, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism with Other Writings on the Rise of the West is an essential resource for anyone seeking to understand the origins and endurance of the modern West.

The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism (Norton Critical Editions) by Max Weber and Richard Swedberg (Paperback - Nov 19, 2008)

Doing Right And Being Good: Catholic And Protestant Readings In Christian Ethics (Michael Glazier Books) by David Oki Ahearn and Peter R. Gathje (Paperback - May 30, 2005)

The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Punishment by T. Richard Snyder (Paperback - Nov 29, 2000)
Snyder finds clues for a different understanding of humanity and God in responses to crime categorized as “restorative justice”. These alternative perspectives seek redemption not only for the perpetrator but also for the victims of crime and the larger community. They also recognize all persons as “graced,” no matter what their actions may have been. Drawing on these clues, Snyder initiates fresh ways of thinking about the traditional theological concepts of covenant, incarnation, and trinity as foundations for a restorative approach to justice. He also challenges religious communities to understand God’s good news in ways that offer hope for a transformed world. The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Punishment is an eye-opening work with profound implications for contemporary social life.

Protestant Ethic Debate: Weber's Replies to His Critics, 1907-1910 (Liverpool University Press - Studies in European Regional Cultures) by David Chalcraft and Austin Harrington (Paperback - Jul 1, 2001)
'We have waited far too long for an English edition of Weber's replies to his critics... Had these replies been published with the original 1930 translation of the PESC the whole Protestant Ethic debate would never have gone down so many blind alleys... Readers will also find one of the most succinct statements of Weber's objectives in writing the PESC as well as a clarification of his research methods.' Dr Sam Whimster, Reader in Sociology at London Guildhall University
Max Weber’s The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism continues to be one of the most influential texts in the sociology of modern Western societies. Although Weber never produced the further essays with which he intended to extend the study, he did complete four lengthy Replies to reviews of the text by two German historians. Written between 1907 and 1910, the Replies offer a fascinating insight into Weber’s intentions in the original study, and the present volume is the first complete translation of all four Replies in English.

Weber, Passion and Profits: 'The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism' in Context by Jack Barbalet (Hardcover - Jul 28, 2008)
The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Authoritarianism: Puritanism, Democracy, and Society by Milan Zafirovski (Hardcover - May 11, 2007)
Weber's Protestant Ethic: Origins, Evidence, Contexts (Publications of the German Historical Institute) by Hartmut Lehmann and Guenther Roth (Paperback - Sep 29, 1995)
American Protestant Ethics and the Legacy of H. Richard Niebuhr (Moral Traditions Series) by William Werpehowski (Paperback - Nov 2002)
Outlines & Highlights for The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism by Max, ISBN: 041525406X (Cram 101 Series) by Cram101 Textbook Reviews (Paperback - Dec 28, 2006)
The Protestant Ethic Turns 100: Essays on the Centenary of the Weber Thesis (Great Barrington Books) by William H. Swatos Jr. and Lutz Kaelber (Paperback - May 2005)
Christian Ethics in the Protestant Tradition by Waldo Beach (Paperback - Jan 1, 1988)
The Integrated Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Environmentalism by Sherrie Steiner-Aeschliman (Paperback - Jan 1, 1999)
New Dictionary of Christian Ethics & Pastoral Theology by David John Atkinson, David Field, Arthur F. Holmes, and Oliver O'Donovan (Hardcover - Jan 1995)
The Influence of the Protestant Ethic on Sport and Recreation by Steven J. Overman (Hardcover - Feb 1997)
Not the Protestant Ethic? Max Weber at St. Louis [An article from: History of European Ideas] by P. Ghosh (Digital - Jan 2005) - HTML
The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism (Dover Value Editions) by Max Weber, Talcott Parsons, and R.H. Tawney (Paperback - April 4, 2003)
American Protestant Ethics and the Legacy of H. Richard Niebuhr.(Book Review): An article from: Theological Studies by Gerald P. Mckenny (Digital - Jul 31, 2005) - HTML
Protestant and Roman Catholic Ethics: Prospects for Rapprochement by James M. Gustafson (Paperback - Feb 15, 1980) 

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