Reading Guide Questions

Chapter 1&2
The Protestant Ethic and Spirit of Capitalism
Key terms:
Otherworldliness
Traditionalism
Capitalism
Pre-capitalism
Ideal type
Economic rationalism
1) How does Weber account for the rise of capitalism in Europe? What are
some of the factors and/or characteristics of Europeans that led to their
rise?
2) What are some differences between Protestantism and Catholicism
that Weber makes? How do these contribute to the development of
capitalism?
3) What is economic rationalism? In what ways are Protestants rational in
a way that Catholics are not?
4) What does Weber mean by the economic survival of the fittest?
5) How does Weber understand the spirit of capitalism? What does he
mean by this? What are some characteristics of this spirit?
6) Weber notes that ones duty in a calling, is what is most characteristic
of the social ethic of capitalistic culture, and is in a sense the
fundamental basis of it. What does he mean by calling, how is this
important to the development of the spirit of capitalism?
7) Weber talks about traditionalism as one of the key challenges in the
transition to modern capitalism. What is traditionalism, and how was it
an obstacle to capitalism?
8) What are some characteristics of pre-capitalist societies, and how is
this different from capitalist societies?

9) In what ways is Webers argument about the rise of capitalism in

Europe supporting the European miracle myth?