Weber’s The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism is a very influential work describing a particular orientation toward material success in the United States. You may be familiar with the term the Protestant Work Ethic.When reading Weber’s writings about this ethic and how particular religious beliefs influenced capitalism in the West, it is important to remember that he is not arguing that these beliefs are true or stating he believes in them. Rather he is providing a cultural explanation for economic activity based on religious influences in the early days of the United States ( remember the Puritans?). The example of Ben Franklin in this reading does not appear in chronological order in the development of this ethic but used as an ideal type of this approach to work. An approach that remained influential and shaped the pursuit of financial success after it was no longer overtly religious.Discuss factors leading to Weber’s observations and causal explanation of how participation in paid work evolved from a duty necessary to provide for oneself and family, to a sign of moral worth which requires pursuit of work as one’s duty in a calling.Provide an example from Ben Franklin’s writings and explain why these writings are seen as ideal types (perfect or typical) examples of the particular approach to financial success Weber observed in the United States.use this book as the sourceEdles, Laura Desfo and Scott Appelrouth. Sociological Theory in the Classical Era. 3rd edition Thousand Oaks, CA: Pine Forge Press.
