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Max Weber

German sociologist, philosopher, and political economist (1864-1920) · Germany · Academics · Died at 56

Max Weber is read about 3,417 times a day, in 141 languages.

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He traced the invisible wiring between Protestant guilt and capitalist ambition, argued that states are just whoever holds the monopoly on violence, and gave modernity a name for what it lost: enchantment. Weber built the tools sociology still uses to read power.

AcademicsLawyerLawEconomicsPhilosophyPoliticsHistory19th Century

A life in dates

1922Economy and SocietyBook published after his death, German-language work in economics and sociology by Max Weber1921The CityBook published after his death, non-fiction work by Max WeberThe Religion of IndiaBook published after his death, work by Max Weber19211920Died14 June 19201916“Mysticism intends a state of "possession," not action, and the individual is not a tool but a "vessel" of the divine.”In their wordsMax Weber, , 1916.

“Legitimation by a recognized religion has always been decisive for an alliance between politically and socially dominant classes and the priesthood.”In their wordsp. 16

1915“For the Confucian, the specialistic expert could not be raised to truly positive dignity, no mater what his social usefulness.”In their wordsp. 246

1905“Both as ruling and ruled strata and both as a majority and minority, Protestants ... have demonstrated a specific tendency toward economic rationalism.”In their wordsCh. 1 : Religious Affiliation and Social Stratification

“Rationalism" is a historical concept that contains within itself a world of contradictions.”In their wordsCh. 2 : The "Spirit" of Capitalism

“Luther understands monasticism as a product of an egoistic lovelessness that withdraws from one's duties in the world.”In their wordsCh. 3 : Luther's Conception of the Calling

1864Born21 April 1864

Also in Deutsch

Photos 8

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In their own words 10

,
Max Weber
,
10 statements, newest first

  1. Mysticism intends a state of "possession," not action, and the individual is not a tool but a "vessel" of the divine.

    1916, Max Weber, , 1916., Own words

  2. Ordinarily, the propagation of Hinduism occurs in approximately the following way. ... Native deities are rebaptized with the names of Hindu gods and goddesses. ...

    1916, pp. 9-10, Own words

  3. Legitimation by a recognized religion has always been decisive for an alliance between politically and socially dominant classes and the priesthood.

    1916, p. 16, Own words

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About this person

Born in Erfurt in 1864, Weber studied law and history across Berlin, Göttingen, and Heidelberg, earning his doctorate in 1889 and beginning to teach. After his father died following an argument in 1897, he broke down, stopped teaching, and travelled for years. He recovered and wrote The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, linking Protestant work ethic to the rise of modern capitalism, then examined religion's economic role in China, India, and ancient Judaism. During the First World War he moved from support to criticism, co-founded the German Democratic Party afterward, advised the Weimar Constitution, and delivered his lectures on science and politics as vocations. He resumed teaching in Vienna and Munich but died of pneumonia in 1920 at fifty-six, leaving Economy and Society unfinished.

Country
Germany
Category
Academics
Type
Academic
Status
deceased
Dates
Lived 1864 to 1920 · aged 56

Academics from Germany 6

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