SOC101 Chapter Notes - Chapter 11: Protestant Work Ethic, False Consciousness, Mitzvah
Document Summary
Conviction that doesn"t require support from empirical evidence. Social institution with formal worship and connection to dominant society. System of beliefs, symbols, rituals, based on some sacred or supernatural realm that guides human behaviour, gives meaning to life, unites believers into a community. Predestined elect will be saved during 2nd coming of christ. Protestants believed that a person"s hard work and material success was a sign that god favored them. Weber believed protestants competed to demonstrate their membership among chosen few who would be saved. Belief by working class that class-based hierarchy was justified on religious grounds. Even though workers oppressed, they believed they would be rewarded in the after life opium of the masses . Outward and visible: god = society, totem = god and society that reveres it. Collective consciousness: group experiences and rituals. Sacred vs profane: objects/acts regarded as holy vs ordinary/secular.
