On Max Weber's View Of Protestant Ethic

Max Weber is the famous sociologist in the west. In his representative works The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, he thoroughly investigates the ideas of protestant ethic, which formed under the Reformation in West European, thinking that protestant ethic has promoted the formulation of the spirit of capitalism, which is a unique inherent ideological impetus of modern capitalism rising in western. Weber investigates the human spiritual culture and social economic development from a unique perspective;traces back to the impact on human behavior of the religious ethics ideas. His thought has important relevance for our country that is in the transition period.By studying The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism and relevant literature, with the concept of protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism as a breakthrough point, the thesis investigates the historical background of Weber's protestant ethic, through the respects of religion traditions, development of capitalist economic, social and political stratum and cultural tradition, etc;traces back to its origin of thoughts, objectively reflecting the formation of Weber's view of protestant ethic. By studying vocation notes, worldly asceticism and the functions of protestant ethic, the thesis refines and summarizes the basic contents and the system of Weber's view of protestant ethic;demonstrates the core of Weber's view in detail. And then analyzes and appraises the historical function of Weber's view of protestant ethic. Its positive meaning lies in deducing the society and the historical development from the multiple perspectives;opens the new research of relations of cultural and the social economy;proves the moral attribute of the human. This thesis inspires us to set up the moral system and ethic ideas that adapt the socialist market economy system, to enhance the enterprise cultural construction, and to promote the transition from traditional culture to modern culture. But because of the simplicity of his perspective, the contradiction of the history view, and his stand of bourgeoisie, his thought has a great deal of limitations too.Through the relevant research to Weber's view of protestant ethic, this thesis tries hard to get deeper understanding of forefathers' great thought, to absorb its outstanding reasonable essence to sever for our country's socialist modernization.