Weber's Protestant Ethic: Origins, Evidence, Contexts

Description

Although Weber's path-breaking work on the Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism has received much attention ever since it first appeared in 1904-5, recent research has uncovered important new aspects. This volume, the result of an international, interdisciplinary effort, throws new light on the intellectual and cultural background of Weber's work, debates recent criticism of Weber's thesis, and confronts new historical insight on the seventeenth century with Weber's interpretation. Revisiting Weber's thesis serves to deepen our understanding of Weber as much as it will stimulate further research.

"...this volume represents a substantial contribution to the subject...The essays that deal with the context represent an especially welcome enlargement of information and insight for English-language readers of The Protestant Ethic who have until now lacked access to many of the German contextual materials." Contemporary Sociology "...this interesting volume shows that in the Anglo-American context it has not entirely lost its capacity to stimulate reflection and research." Fritz Ringer, Central European History