The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism by Max Weber.
Max Weber
major
Also known as Weber, WeberтАЩs
Author and narrator of the work, analyzing the relationship between Protestant ethics and capitalism.
Martin Luther
major
Also known as Luther, Denifles Luther
Central figure in the development of the Protestant concept of the calling, which Weber analyzes.
John Calvin
major
Also known as Calvin, 400 Calvin
Theologian whose doctrine of predestination forms a key foundation for ascetic Protestantism.
Richard Baxter
major
Also known as the amiable Baxter, Richard Baxter, Baxter, the kindly Baxter
Puritan divine whose pastoral writings exemplify the practical ethics of ascetic Protestantism.
Benjamin Franklin
supporting
Also known as Franklin, Benjamin Franklin
American statesman whose maxims illustrate the spirit of capitalism in Weber's argument.
John Wesley
supporting
Also known as Wesley, John Wesley
Founder of Methodism, whose teachings on work and wealth are discussed in relation to asceticism.
Philipp Jakob Spener
supporting
Also known as Spener, P. J. Spener
Founder of Pietism, whose emphasis on personal piety influenced the development of ascetic Protestantism.
Nikolaus von Zinzendorf
supporting
Also known as Zinzendorf, Bernh . Becker
Leader of the Herrnhuter movement, discussed in the context of Pietism and its ethical implications.
Werner Sombart
supporting
Also known as Sombart, W. Sombart, Werner Sombart
Contemporary economic historian whose views on capitalism Weber critically engages with.
Albrecht Ritschl
supporting
Also known as Ritschl, Ritschl 258
Theologian whose interpretation of Pietism and Protestant history Weber discusses and critiques.
Lujo Brentano
supporting
Also known as Lujo Brentano, Brentano, Unfortunately Brentano
Economic historian whose opposing views on the spirit of capitalism are addressed by Weber.
John Bunyan
supporting
Also known as Bunyan, Love, Bunyan Mr. Money - Love
Author of Pilgrim's Progress, whose work reflects the Puritan ethic and its relation to worldly activity.
Oliver Cromwell
minor
Also known as Cromwell, Oliver Cromwell
Puritan political leader whose actions and policies are referenced in the context of ascetic Protestantism.
August Hermann Francke
supporting
Also known as Francke, A. H. Francke
Pietist theologian and educator whose practical piety influenced the movement's ethical outlook.
Robert Barclay
minor
Also known as Barclay, Robert Barclay
Quaker apologist whose writings are cited in the discussion of the Baptist sects and their ethics.
Thomas Aquinas
minor
Also known as Thomas Aquinas, Thomas
Medieval scholastic philosopher whose views on economic ethics are contrasted with Protestant ones.
Johannes Tauler
minor
Also known as Tauler
Medieval mystic whose writings influenced Luther and the development of Protestant spirituality.
John Milton
minor
Also known as Milton
English poet and Puritan whose work reflects the ethical and religious concerns of the era.
Matthias Schneckenburger
minor
Also known as Schneckenburger
Theologian whose comparative studies of Calvinism and Lutheranism are referenced by Weber.
Samuel Bailey
minor
Also known as Bailey
Economist whose observations on the spirit of capitalism are cited in the text.
Blaise Pascal
minor
Also known as Pascal
French philosopher and Jansenist whose religious views are discussed in relation to asceticism.
Thomas Adams
minor
Also known as Thomas Adams
Puritan preacher whose sermons are quoted to illustrate the practical ethics of the movement.
George Fox
minor
Also known as George Fox, Fox
Founder of the Quakers, whose religious movement is analyzed in the context of ascetic Protestantism.
Adam Smith
minor
Also known as Adam Smith, Adam
Economist whose ideas on wealth and labor are referenced in the discussion of capitalism.
Ernst Troeltsch
minor
Also known as Troeltsch, E. Troeltsch
Contemporary theologian and sociologist whose work on Christianity and society is engaged with.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
minor
Also known as Goethe
German poet whose literary works are occasionally cited to illustrate cultural points.
Philipp Melanchthon
minor
Also known as Melanchthon
Lutheran reformer whose theological contributions are mentioned in the context of Lutheranism.
Menno Simons
minor
Also known as Menno, Menno Simons
Founder of the Mennonites, an Anabaptist group discussed in the section on Baptist sects.
Johannes Hoornbeek
minor
Also known as Hoornbeek, Even Hoornbeek
Dutch theologian whose writings on Calvinist ethics are cited by Weber.
Sir William Petty
minor
Also known as Sir William Petty, Petty
English economist and statistician whose observations on economic behavior are referenced.
Sebastian Franck
minor
Also known as Sebastian Franck, Franck
German reformer and spiritualist whose ideas are mentioned in the context of radical Protestantism.
F. Keller
minor
Also known as F. Keller, Keller
Scholar whose work on the history of the family is cited in the text.
Eduard Bernstein
minor
Also known as Bernstein, Eduard Bernstein
Socialist theorist whose views on religion and capitalism are discussed.
Jacob Fugger
minor
Also known as Jacob Fugger, Fugger
Renaissance banker and merchant whose business practices are contrasted with the Protestant ethic.
George Whitefield
minor
Also known as Whitefield
Methodist evangelist whose preaching and activities are mentioned in the context of Methodism.
Rembrandt
minor
Also known as Rembrandt
Dutch painter whose work is referenced in a discussion of cultural and religious expression.
F. Rachfahl
minor
Also known as F. Rachfahl, Rachfahl
Scholar whose critique of Weber's thesis is addressed in the text.
Gijsbert Voet
minor
Also known as Voet, Gijsbert Voet
Dutch Calvinist theologian whose strict ethics are cited as an example of Reformed asceticism.
Augustine of Hippo
minor
Also known as Augustine
Early Church Father whose theological views are referenced in discussions of grace and predestination.
Alphonsus Liguori
minor
Also known as Liguori
Catholic moral theologian whose casuistic approach is contrasted with Protestant ethics.
St. Francis of Assisi
minor
Also known as St. Francis, the young St. Francis
Founder of the Franciscan order, whose embrace of poverty is contrasted with Protestant asceticism.
Doyle
minor
Also known as Doyle
Author or source cited in the endnotes, likely a historical reference.
Reinhold Seeberg
minor
Also known as Seeberg, Karl Müller
Theologian whose historical work on doctrine is referenced in the text.
Karl Hundeshagen
minor
Also known as Hundeshagen
Theologian whose views on Protestantism and culture are mentioned.
Stephen Charnock
minor
Also known as Charnock, Stuart Charnock
Puritan theologian whose writings on the attributes of God are cited.
Richard Cromwell
minor
Also known as Richard Cromwell, Cromwell
Son of Oliver Cromwell, briefly mentioned in a historical context.
Professor Ashley
minor
Also known as Ashley, Professor Ashley
Economic historian whose work is cited in the discussion of capitalism.
Henri Pirenne
minor
Also known as Professor Pirenne, Professor
Historian whose views on medieval cities and capitalism are referenced.
St. Paul
minor
Also known as St. Paul, Paul
Apostle whose teachings on work and calling are foundational for Christian ethics.
Richard Wagner
minor
Also known as Richard Wagner
Composer whose cultural significance is briefly mentioned in the text.
Sanford
minor
Also known as Sanford
Likely a scholar or historical figure cited in the endnotes.
Thomas Babington Macaulay
minor
Also known as Macaulay
Historian and politician whose writings on English history are referenced.
Heinrich Heppe
minor
Also known as Heppe
Theologian whose work on Reformed theology is cited.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux
minor
Also known as St. Bernard, Bernard
Medieval mystic and reformer whose views on love and contemplation are mentioned.
Matthew Henry
minor
Also known as Matthew Henry
Biblical commentator whose works were widely read in Puritan circles.
G. White
minor
Also known as White, G. White
Likely a scholar or historical figure cited in the text.
Wilhelm Windelband
minor
Also known as Windelband
Philosopher whose work on the history of philosophy is referenced.
Karl Lamprecht
minor
Also known as Lamprecht
Historian whose cultural-historical approach is mentioned in the text.
Edward Dowden
minor
Also known as Dowden
Literary critic whose work on Shakespeare is cited in the text.
Martin Offenbacher
minor
Also known as Martin Offenbacher, Offenbacher, See Offenbacher
Researcher whose statistical data on religious affiliation and education is used by Weber.
H. Levy
minor
Also known as H. Levy, Levy, Compare H. Levy
Scholar whose work on economic history is cited in the text.
Dr. Paul Honigsheim
minor
Also known as Dr. Paul Honigsheim, Honigsheim, Paul
Sociologist and colleague of Weber, whose research is referenced.
Hanserd Knolly
minor
Also known as Hanserd Knolly of 1689, Hanserd Knolly, the Hanserd Knolly
Baptist minister whose confession of faith is cited in the discussion of Baptist sects.
Groen van Prinsterer
minor
Also known as Groen van Prinsterer
Dutch politician and historian, mentioned in a historical context.
Daniel Wait Howe
minor
Also known as Daniel Wait Howe, Howe
Author or source cited in the endnotes.
Dietrich Schäfer
minor
Also known as Dietrich Schafer
Historian whose views on economic history are referenced.
H. von Sternberg
minor
Also known as H. von Sternberg
Likely a scholar or historical figure cited in the text.
Frank H. Knight
minor
Also known as Frank H. Knight, Franklin
Economist whose work on risk and uncertainty is mentioned.
Frank G. Ward
minor
Also known as Frank G. Ward, Franklin
Likely a scholar or historical figure cited in the text.
