Reading Response - Assignment Example

Task The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism The main argument of the article in this book by Max Weber is that capitalism was brought about by the Protestants. According to Max Weber, the driving force behind capitalism and levels of wealth is heavily influenced by religion. The people who broke from the Catholic regime felt a certain sense of freedom since they did not have to follow the strict religious rules that governed them. They were able to become prosperous by pursuing their economic interest.

According to Weber (1905, p. 32), the Protestants in Germany were the most educated compared to their Catholic counterparts. The book argues that there is a rift between people who do things for wealth and those who work for fulfillment.The question brought about by this book is that ‘Do religious values prevent people from financial success?’ Another question is that ‘Is it wrong to pursue profits?’ According to Weber (1905, p. 43-49), the Hindu religion bars people from engaging in activities for profit.

Their views are similar to the Catholics who prefer to stay in the convents and not engaging in things that are tempting. On the other hand, Protestants base their life on worldly things and asking help from God for their profit pursuits.In the book “The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism” by Max Weber, the relationship between religion is analyzed. There is an argument between economic advantage and spiritual pursuits. The Catholic religion says that profitable business is inferior to the spiritual deliverance in God.

In contrast, the Protestant religion encourages profitable activity and accumulation of wealth to religious help from God. There are religions that despise money and worldly things because of temptations that come with them. On the other hand, there are religions that promote capitalism; hard work in the name of God. The book does not prefer one religious view over another. However, it looks at religious views and their influence on the behavior and beliefs of their followers.Works CitedWeber, Max.

The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism. Digireads.com, 2010. Print.