SC 400 Exam 2 Questions and correct
answers
Be able to define inner-worldly asceticism and how it is different from other-worldly mysticism
✔️✔️Correct Ans-inner-worldly asceticism is action in this world guided by self-control and the denial
of pleasure, focused on this world and didn't think about other "worlds"
-activity in material world
-individualism
-self-denial of pleasure
other-wordly mysticism believes in the imaginary or spiritual world
-passive
-spiritual
-contemplative, over active
-escape from material world
Why this mattered for Weber's theory of why capitalism developed in Protestant countries and not in
Catholic countries ✔️✔️Correct Ans-Weber's theory does not see money as a waste of time but rather
as an act of character, Catholics believe that money is a vice or sin so they do not want to have a lot of
it and do not believe that it has anything to do with getting into heaven
hierarchical authority and sacraments block individual guilt/anxiety
Be able to explain why Islam is opposed to profit maximization ✔️✔️Correct Ans-Believe there is a
wage that is to high and that you should not make money just to make more
thinks it undermines welfare of society
usury=exploitation, charge certain fees but no interest
social action guided by altruism over egoism
market reputation based on "standing in the community" not based on money but moral/ethical
life(reputation)
What did Weber think guided social action ✔️✔️Correct Ans-Weber thought that ideas/ culture guide
social action, not material conditions
You need ideas before material goods
Know the difference between substantive and formal rationality ✔️✔️Correct Ans-Substantive
rationality(magic/religion): social action guided by ethics or religious values, which are ends in
themselves
, ex. education for the sake of education
Formal rationality(science/technology): social actions guided by efficient, predictable means towards
a calculated end
ex. education as a means to the end of getting a job
Be able to explain how the Protestant ethic led to the spirit or culture of capitalism ✔️✔️Correct Ans--
belief that predestination(when you are born it is determined if you were going to heaven or hell but
you don't know) equals salvations
-there are "elect" and there are signs that go with being an "elect"
One sign is a member of the elect working and making money because the job is considered a calling
from God, the more money you have the more chance of going to heaven
-believed in inner-world asceticism which focused on this world and didn't think much about other
"worlds"
-uses ideas to get people to want to work and be productive, not force
-deny yourself from wasting money, you must spend money to make more money
-capitalism=unintended consequence of Protestant ethic=most formally rational economic system
Be able to describe how the spirit of capitalism led to the economic system of capitalism ✔️✔️Correct
Ans--time=money
-associated work ethic with character
-greed or "the acquisitive instinct" is NOT the basis for capitalism
-capitalist economic growth will only increase if work becomes a calling
-Weber called it irrational because one cannot save money and not spend it
Be able to explain the differences between how Marx and Weber explained the origin of capitalism
✔️✔️Correct Ans-Marx believed capitalism came from feudalism which gave rise to cities, which
became the birthplace of a class opposed to the aristocracy which was opposed by the bourgeoisie
who ultimately replace the aristocracy as the most influential class which in turn creates a new social
system which is capitalism
Weber believes that the Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism is a study of the relationship
between the ethics of ascetic Protestantism and the emergence of the spirit of modern capitalism
Know the difference between what Pugh refers to as the old and the new social contract ✔️✔️Correct
Ans-Pugh believes that work ethic=high-performance, but labor as calling="well-developed sense of
self"=result in low-levels of dedication to employer
answers
Be able to define inner-worldly asceticism and how it is different from other-worldly mysticism
✔️✔️Correct Ans-inner-worldly asceticism is action in this world guided by self-control and the denial
of pleasure, focused on this world and didn't think about other "worlds"
-activity in material world
-individualism
-self-denial of pleasure
other-wordly mysticism believes in the imaginary or spiritual world
-passive
-spiritual
-contemplative, over active
-escape from material world
Why this mattered for Weber's theory of why capitalism developed in Protestant countries and not in
Catholic countries ✔️✔️Correct Ans-Weber's theory does not see money as a waste of time but rather
as an act of character, Catholics believe that money is a vice or sin so they do not want to have a lot of
it and do not believe that it has anything to do with getting into heaven
hierarchical authority and sacraments block individual guilt/anxiety
Be able to explain why Islam is opposed to profit maximization ✔️✔️Correct Ans-Believe there is a
wage that is to high and that you should not make money just to make more
thinks it undermines welfare of society
usury=exploitation, charge certain fees but no interest
social action guided by altruism over egoism
market reputation based on "standing in the community" not based on money but moral/ethical
life(reputation)
What did Weber think guided social action ✔️✔️Correct Ans-Weber thought that ideas/ culture guide
social action, not material conditions
You need ideas before material goods
Know the difference between substantive and formal rationality ✔️✔️Correct Ans-Substantive
rationality(magic/religion): social action guided by ethics or religious values, which are ends in
themselves
, ex. education for the sake of education
Formal rationality(science/technology): social actions guided by efficient, predictable means towards
a calculated end
ex. education as a means to the end of getting a job
Be able to explain how the Protestant ethic led to the spirit or culture of capitalism ✔️✔️Correct Ans--
belief that predestination(when you are born it is determined if you were going to heaven or hell but
you don't know) equals salvations
-there are "elect" and there are signs that go with being an "elect"
One sign is a member of the elect working and making money because the job is considered a calling
from God, the more money you have the more chance of going to heaven
-believed in inner-world asceticism which focused on this world and didn't think much about other
"worlds"
-uses ideas to get people to want to work and be productive, not force
-deny yourself from wasting money, you must spend money to make more money
-capitalism=unintended consequence of Protestant ethic=most formally rational economic system
Be able to describe how the spirit of capitalism led to the economic system of capitalism ✔️✔️Correct
Ans--time=money
-associated work ethic with character
-greed or "the acquisitive instinct" is NOT the basis for capitalism
-capitalist economic growth will only increase if work becomes a calling
-Weber called it irrational because one cannot save money and not spend it
Be able to explain the differences between how Marx and Weber explained the origin of capitalism
✔️✔️Correct Ans-Marx believed capitalism came from feudalism which gave rise to cities, which
became the birthplace of a class opposed to the aristocracy which was opposed by the bourgeoisie
who ultimately replace the aristocracy as the most influential class which in turn creates a new social
system which is capitalism
Weber believes that the Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism is a study of the relationship
between the ethics of ascetic Protestantism and the emergence of the spirit of modern capitalism
Know the difference between what Pugh refers to as the old and the new social contract ✔️✔️Correct
Ans-Pugh believes that work ethic=high-performance, but labor as calling="well-developed sense of
self"=result in low-levels of dedication to employer
