Assignments #2 : Work as an “Ethic” and system of Values
In the Reading “The Protestant Ethic and The Spirit of Capitalism” By Max weber describe what he thinks about Benjamin Franklin Spirit of Capitalism subject.
Rationalism – replacement of traditions, values, and emotions as motivators for behavior in society with rational, calculated ones
Benjamin Franklin Illustrates the spirit of Capitalism by saying men have to be honest and have a business attitude. Your time is valuable, the trust and respect you show with the community gives you credit which is valuable and this personality can have you creating more money. This individual with these particular traits are seen as success which is the ultimate goal creating a profit, a capitalist, creating the Spirit of capitalism. Individuals with this personality enjoy living comfortable lives sometimes in luxury of objects but primarily like saving money and putting it away.
In the Capitalist community is just like the jungle or New York City only the strongest survive.
Traditionalism is the opposite of capitalism or pre-capitalism. Citizen will only work enough to receive the money needed to support themselves and family. This happens by paying by the amount of work given. When the opposite happens, less pay for amount of work, it can work but with limit because the wage can become so low its insufficient to support themselves and family. For this method to function for capitalism citizens must seek education. The enterpriser has the mind and spirit of a capitalism and perfumes capitalist activities. Before the organization of rational capitalism and the spirit of capitalism were represented by simple living, socialization and work somehow were changed by a more frugal living, different maneuvering of social life and a more determined work determinable created what we know as corporate America today. Profit and power is what in the world we live in today is the dominant way, the capitalistic way. I believe the spirit of capitalist transformed to adaptation of capitalism.
Weber attempts to explain himself by quoting Benjamin franklin and giving examples the support his point of view and this really gives one perspective on the matter. In my opinion, it does not have to involve religion or belief the way an individual handles or administrates his money or views money. We learn the dominant way of money and this system of capitalism is the dominant. It was not a spirit but an adaptation and evolution of time that influenced the capitalist behavior.
