SOC250Y1 Lecture 14: Lecture 14 notes
Document Summary
Capitalism "the most fateful force in our modern life"" (p 17) "capitalism is identical with the pursuit of profit and forever renewed profit . Notes current protestant dominance in capitalistic enterpreise, technical accomplishments and in applied sciences. The protestant countries and regions of europe england, holland and germany are more prosperous and modern than the catholic areas which are lagging. Protestans outnumbered catholics in professional, technical fields etc. Benjamin franklin (1706-1790) as exemplar of the "spirit"" scientist, inventor, statesman, entrepreneur had a strict calvinist upbringing. When you look at franklin he isn"t just promoting business t ricks, what he is about is an ethos. Offers an "ethos"" a moralized notion of character and conduct not just business savvy or cunning. Work and earn; avoid hedonic distractions and waste; diligence and sobriety. Moralized, about making money the right way not maximize wealth. Live a certain way with the right character. Not greed, greed is as old as human civilization.
