Asked by Foster Hutchins on May 31, 2024

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Explain how the protestant ethic arose, evolved into the spirit of capitalism, and has since given rise to an "iron cage" of rationality?

Protestant Ethic

A concept in sociology that associates the rise of capitalism with Protestant values of hard work, frugality, and diligence.

Spirit of Capitalism

A term from Max Weber's sociology referring to the set of ethical and cultural values that encourage hard work, frugality, and efficiency in pursuit of economic success.

Iron Cage

A concept introduced by Max Weber to describe the increased rationalization inherent in social life, particularly in Western capitalist societies, leading to individuals feeling trapped by systems and bureaucracy.

  • Analyzing the relationship between the protestant ethic, the spirit of capitalism, and modern rationalization.
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Zybrea KnightJun 01, 2024
Final Answer :
-The protestant ethic was a Calvinist moral doctrine where individuals worked hard to show Gods favor
-The spirit of capitalism valued hard work, wealth, and success as inherent ends
-Today, we are trapped in an iron cage that claims hard work and success seem like rational, moral things, but are actually just required of a social system that is largely neither moral, nor rational