Ethos versus Habitus: the Ethical Component in Max Weber’s “The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capi- talism”
https://doi.org/10.22394/2074-0492-2020-4-45-67
EDN: WCZIZU
Abstract
This article focuses on Max Weber’s understanding of “ethos” in “The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism” and the benefits afforded by this concept. The reference is not accidental as it is in this work that Weber could consistently explicate his ethical argument. The idea of ethos becomes clearerin comparison with the concept of habitus, which is actively used today in socialscience. Itisshown thatthe distinction between ethos and habitus may be more productive than the conflation common in modern research. The category “ethos” is compared with the value-rational action from the later typology of action in Weber’s “Economy and Society”, while habitusis associated with traditional action from the same typology. The concept of ethos is further clarified by the example of Weber’s opposition oftraditionalism and ethical modern Western capitalism. By focusing on ethical issues and using character as a theoretical tool, Weber not only putsforward a convincing interpretation butlaysthe foundationsfor a specific line of analysis in social and economic science. The category of ethos in conjunction with the value-rational type of action acquires special significance due to the potential for novelty and change thatis embedded in it.
Keywords
ethos,
habitus,
Weber,
Bourdieu,
tradition,
Protestant ethics,
traditional action,
value-rational action,
ethics
About the Authors
Ivan V. Zabaev
St Tikhon’s Orthodox University, Moscow, Russia
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
PhD sociology, head of the “Sociology of Religion” laboratory
at the Theology faculty of St Tikhon’s Orthodox University
Elizaveta A. Kostrova
St Tikhon’s Orthodox University, Moscow, Russia
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
PhD in philosophy, research fellow at the “Sociology of
Religion” laboratory at the Theology faculty of St Tikhon’s Orthodox University.
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Review
For citations:
Zabaev I.V., Kostrova E.A. Ethos versus Habitus: the Ethical Component in Max Weber’s “The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capi- talism”. Sociology of Power. 2020;32(4):45-67. https://doi.org/10.22394/2074-0492-2020-4-45-67. EDN: WCZIZU
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