Sociology 401
Sociological Theory
Fall 2001
Dr. Scott Schaffer

Week 3 Discussion Questions: Weber, The Protestant Ethic (pp. 51-125)

Due Date: Mon Sep 17/2001 at the start of class.

1. Define the following terms:

·       Asceticism
·       The "calling"
·       The "elect"
·       Predestination
·       Doctrine of "proof"
·       Rationalism
·       Traditionalism
·       Verstehen
·       Western v. non-Western capitalism
·       The "iron cage"

2. Describe and critique Weber's analysis of the impact of Lutheranism and Calvinism on the development of the "spirit of capitalism."

3. What is Weber's ultimate argument regarding the relationship between the "Protestant ethic" and the development of capitalism? How does Weber argue the confluence of rationality and Christianity that made possible the development of the Protestant ethic has changed in our time? What reason does he give for this?

4. Given what Weber has said regarding the development of the Protestant ethic, how would describe his concept of social structure? Of agency? The relationship between the two?

5. Weber's work contains within it all three of the kinds of theory we've discussed — descriptive, diagnostic, and prescriptive. Briefly outline the development of these three aspects of Weber's theory of society. To what extent do you find these compelling, and why?

6. Outline Weber's overall theoretical perspective. What would he look at in observing a social situation? What kinds of processes would be observe? How would they fit together? And what other kinds of social phenomena could you use Weber's theoretical perspective to understand?