《新教伦理与资本主义精神》导读

Fudan University via Coursera

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/max-weber

Introduction

### Course Review and Recommendation: "Introduction to Weber's The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism" In the realm of social sciences, few works have sparked as much debate and introspection as Max Weber's "The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism." Coursera's course, titled **"Introduction to Weber's The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism,"** offers a comprehensive exploration of Weber’s ideas, situating them within the historical context of early 20th-century Europe while also encouraging deep reflection among participants on the dynamic interplay between culture and society. #### Overview and Structure The course utilizes Weber's seminal text as a foundation to examine the relationship between religion and the emergence of modern capitalism. What makes this course compelling is its systematic approach to understanding Weber’s sociological and philosophical insights, alongside a rich exploration of relevant historical content—covering the Renaissance, the Reformation, Enlightenment, and the rise of capitalism. The course is designed for students of all levels who seek a deeper appreciation of social sciences, critical thinking, and cultural studies. Each module builds upon the last, fostering a layered understanding of complex ideas through a reflective lens. #### Course Modules Breakdown 1. **Introduction: The Importance of Reflection** The course opens with a thought-provoking introduction by instructor Yu Zhenjun, who emphasizes the necessity of reflection in education. Students are encouraged to contemplate the significance of reading Weber’s work and the rationale behind studying these philosophical underpinnings, setting a reflective tone for the entire course. 2. **Weber and His Era** Understanding Weber requires insight into his life and the socio-political context of the German Empire. This module provides valuable background information that enhances comprehension of Weber's motivations and the questions he sought to address regarding his contemporaries and civilization. 3. **Religion and Capitalism** This module dives into the core of Weber's argument—the intricate ties between religious ethics and economic systems. Students will analyze key concepts such as "asceticism," the "spirit of capitalism," and Luther’s views on vocation, resembling an "onion peeling" approach that gradually exposes the layers of Weber’s thought. 4. **Christianity and Western Civilization** It is essential to consider the broader impact of Christianity on culture and civilization. This module approaches religion from a historical and cultural perspective, uncovering its significance and influence on Western development, enriching the dialogue on how religious beliefs shape societal norms. 5. **The Religious Basis of Worldly Asceticism** Returning to the text, participants will engage with Weber’s discussion on ascetic Protestantism, particularly Calvinism, and its relationship with capitalism. This exploration culminates in the acknowledgment of how intrinsic values concerning time, career, and wealth can influence personal and societal choices. 6. **Weber and Asia** In this penultimate module, students will examine Weber's influence beyond Europe, particularly on Asian societies. This reflection demonstrates the global relevance of Weber’s inquiries and encourages a comparative analysis of different ethical frameworks regarding capitalism. #### Benefits and Recommendations This course is not merely an academic study; it offers a transformative experience. It encourages independent thought, critical reflection, and expansive reading beyond Weber’s primary work. Participants are nudged to explore their own life choices relating to key issues like economic behavior, values concerning work, and social responsibility. I highly recommend this course to anyone interested in sociology, cultural studies, or philosophy. Whether you are a student, educator, or lifelong learner, this course promotes a deeper understanding of how religious ethics informs societal structures and economic behaviors, ultimately enhancing your ability to think critically about the world. Enrolling in this course will not only improve your academic knowledge but will allow you to engage with timeless questions about culture, value systems, and how these interact with the fabric of modern life. It is, without a doubt, an enriching journey into the heart of Weber’s work and its implications for our current understanding of society.

Syllabus

导论

“未经反思的生活是不值得过的。”古希腊哲学家苏格拉底这样告诉我们。如果将这一原则运用于这门慕课，那么在开始上课之前，郁喆隽老师就要来反思一下为何要阅读这本书——《新教伦理与资本主义精神》，以及为什么要开设这门慕课。因此，本模块将不会急于直接进入文本本身，而是要处理一些准备性的大问题。导论将紧紧围绕“反思”一词展开，分别解说“何谓反思”、“为何反思”以及“如何反思”等问题，以此为本慕课设定一些目标和基调。

韦伯和他的时代

在展开对文本的深度阅读之前，本模块将系统地介绍韦伯的生平、精神特征和他所处的时代——德意志第二帝国。此外，本模块还涉及一些更为一般的问题，例如如何理解一个学者。这些内容都构成理解《新教伦理与资本主义精神》这本书不可或缺的背景。韦伯作为一个人，度过了怎样的人生，经历了哪些事件？他所处的时代，以及国家的基本状况，为韦伯写作该书提供了哪些基本的“问题意识”？了解了这些，将有助于我们更为深入地理解文本本身。

宗教与资本主义

本模块将开始直接深入分析《新教伦理与资本主义精神》的文本，大致对应书中第一卷的内容。本慕课的文本解读采取“剥洋葱”的方式：郁老师不会直接告诉大家韦伯的结论，而是层层推进，逐步分析韦伯问题的由来，阐明他对一些当时流行观点的看法，并最终导出本书的核心问题之一，即宗教与经济的关系。在此过程中，我们还将涉及一些本书的核心概念，如“苦行”、“资本主义精神”和路德的职业观等。

基督宗教与西方文明

本模块有意在两个文本解读中间安排一些对宗教内容的解说。自启蒙运动以降，自然主义和世俗主义大致成为当代人的基本假设。这可能导致我们忽视或低估宗教对文化、文明的影响。而且在一些国家的国民教育体系中，也较少涉及有关宗教的内容。因此，郁喆隽老师将从历史和文化的角度切入，大致介绍世界宗教的基本状况，并用大量的实例来说明什么是基督宗教、基督宗教的历史脉络、以及基督宗教对西方文明的塑造作用。

入世禁欲的宗教基础

本模块再次回到文本的深度解读，大致对应《新教伦理与资本主义精神》全书的第二卷内容。在本模块中，我们将跟随韦伯的思路，面对全书最为精要的分析段落，来回答第一卷中提出的基本问题。本模块将处理如下一些关系：苦行与新教教派、苦行与资本主义精神。我们将看到，韦伯如何以加尔文教派的神恩蒙选和预定论为重点，阐明其神学特征与资本主义诞生之间的“选择亲缘性”。其中也涉及一些当代人无法回避的基本问题，如怎样面对时间、职业和财富等。

韦伯与亚洲

韦伯在《新教伦理与资本主义精神》中处理的虽然是有关欧洲基督宗教的问题，但他提出的设问在 20世纪对亚洲产生了重大的影响。本模块将以《诸世界宗教的经济伦理》中所提出的“韦伯问题”为切入点，展开对韦伯另一部名著《儒教与道教》的解读，并简要介绍亚洲学者对儒家伦理与资本主义关系的研究。在本模块最后部分，我们将对课程进行总结和回顾，回到一些关于文化与文明的大问题。郁喆隽老师希望经过本慕课的学习，所有人对这些问题都有了全新的认识。