SOC 001 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Puritans, Tradition, Instrumental And Value Rationality
25 Jun 2020
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Document Summary
Weber says rationalization is the defining characteristic of modern societies. Rationalization- the organization of social life on the bases of means-ends calculations and principles of efficiency. Let"s say we want to reach a goal (b). To reach that goal, you rationally calculate what means (a) you need to employ to best attain it. How to get from a to b with the least amount of time, effort, and/or money expended. The rationalized pursuit of wealth: protestantism and capitalism: Weber says this is not a coincidence. Weber argues that protestantism helped create what he calls the spirit of capitalism . Rationalized pursuit of wealth + delayed gratification + making money as an end in itself. + making money as one"s ultimate purpose= the spirit of capitalism. Martin luther: the calling; tasks set by god. Worldly asceticism- one"s world success is a sign of one"s salvation.
