Weber’s Protestant Ethic Religion’s Role In Shaping Societal Behavior

Primary Question Weber Poses: Why would Westerners choose, as a society, Why would Westerners choose, as a society, this irrational action? Workers: working hard Workers: working hard Entrepreneurs/Owners: investing their money Entrepreneurs/Owners: investing their money over this irrational action? Workers: working just enough to get by Workers: working just enough to get by Entrepreneurs/Owners: spending your money on big houses and cool vacations Entrepreneurs/Owners: spending your money on big houses and cool vacations

The Spirit Of Capitalism More than the impulse to gain large amounts of money More than the impulse to gain large amounts of money “A disciplined organization of work aimed at making not just enough for existence, but even more for profit.” “A disciplined organization of work aimed at making not just enough for existence, but even more for profit.”

Getting Into Heaven The Catholic Way... grace is cool and all, but who wants God giving them dirty looks in heaven? The problem of “justification”. The Catholic Way... grace is cool and all, but who wants God giving them dirty looks in heaven? The problem of “justification”. The Protestant Way... grace is cool and all, but how do I know I got some of it? The problem of “predestination”. The Protestant Way... grace is cool and all, but how do I know I got some of it? The problem of “predestination”. As George Michael would say: “You gotta have faith.”

Working Out (Literally) Your Soul’s Salvation A primary characteristic of God’s elect is the high level at which you worked in your calling. A primary characteristic of God’s elect is the high level at which you worked in your calling. God worked and still works hard at his calling: to make a world where His people can flourish. God worked and still works hard at his calling: to make a world where His people can flourish. God’s elect should work hard at a similar calling: to make a world where God’s people can flourish God’s elect should work hard at a similar calling: to make a world where God’s people can flourish So... if you’re working hard, that’s evidence (!) that you are the elect of God. So... if you’re working hard, that’s evidence (!) that you are the elect of God. Lazy people? Hedonists? Procrastinators? Lazy people? Hedonists? Procrastinators? THEY ARE DAMNED FOR ALL ETERNITY! THEY ARE DAMNED FOR ALL ETERNITY!

So... Back To The Primary Question Weber Poses: Why would Westerners choose, as a society, Why would Westerners choose, as a society, this irrational action? Workers: working hard Workers: working hard Entrepreneurs/Owners: investing their money Entrepreneurs/Owners: investing their money over this irrational action? Workers: working just enough to get by Workers: working just enough to get by Entrepreneurs/Owners: spending your money on big houses and cool vacations Entrepreneurs/Owners: spending your money on big houses and cool vacations