In Max Weber's The Protestant Ethic And The Spirit Of Capitalism?

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13th to bring the issue of systematic racism and the unfair treatment of prisoners. The trailer argues that there is a “loophole” within the thirteenth amendment that allows for slavery to exist, despite its supposed abolishment. “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction”. The loophole within the exception of “punishment for crime” deems the enslavement of prisoners lawful. By creating a theoretical toolbox with Weberian and Durkhemian concepts, the existence of exploitation can be explained within an American context. Weber’s concepts describe the material world as it exists in …show more content…

During a time of growing industry and a technological boom, Weber argued that Capitalist motivation stemmed from the Calvinist’s belief in the “calling”. The calling is defined as “an obligation which the individual is supposed to feel and does feel towards the content of his professional activity” (Weber 2003 54). Weber states that with the Protestant Reformation and the individualization of faith pushed forward the spirit of Capitalism. As the interpretation of the Bible became easier to access, it also became more open to interpretation for the individual reading. The calling interpretation of one’s own calling, thus becomes subjective and malleable for the individual to experience validation in their …show more content…

In this way, the guidelines for the calling can perpetuate the idea that the exploitation of other peoples is still approved by god. In chapter 5 of his book Weber describes the calling, “favour in the sight of God, is measured primarily in moral terms… But a further, and above all, in practice the most important criterion is found in private profitableness" (2003: 162). The individual is able to decide what defines the “moral terms” as long as there is profitability within the work they do. Again Weber explains that private profit is the most important component of the calling: “Christians must follow the call by taking advantage of the opportunity. 'If God shows you a way in which you may [without wrong to your soul or to any other] '” (2003;

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