Die protestantische Ethik und der Geist des Kapitalismus

In this book, Max Weber argues that the religious ideas of ascetic Protestantism, particularly Calvinism, played a significant role in the development of the modern capitalist spirit.

Weber posits that the concept of the 'calling' in Protestantism gave worldly activity a religious character, leading Calvinists to seek signs of their salvation through success in worldly endeavors.

This led to a valuation of profit and material success as indicators of God's favor.

The book details how these Protestant values contributed to the breakdown of traditional economic systems and paved the way for modern capitalism, which eventually became secularized and independent of its religious roots.