Calvinist Ethics and Business Attitudes - Traces in Switzerland, Puritan England, and the USA
Type
working paper
Date Issued
1992-01-01
Author(s)
Graves, Charles
Abstract (De)
This study features a discussion about 16th and 17th century Calvinism/Puritanism and its relation to developing capitalism. The study should make a contribution to elaborating an ethic for business, based upon a traditional perspective. Those centuries represent a turning-point from static medievalism to a new world situation of an expanding Europe. Most ecclestiastical world-views could not then provide a sufficient rationale for the new, emerging capitalism, but Calvinism/Puritanism met the new situation with an ethic which approximated the growing "economic individualism" of the time. Hence, the Calvinist churches held a message for the businessman, even though such a message remained within old-fashioned theological categories such as "predestination". This study traces how Calvinists in Switzerland (especially Geneva), Puritan England and the English colonies in America, viewed business within their own religious perspectives. Especially, we describe the importance of middle-class Puritan businessmen in England, and their participation in the "Joint-Stock Companies" in the "City" in London, as well as other Puritan gentry and tradesmen. We consider the books they read, and how they translated theological ideas into practical life. These Puritans provided the incentive for the capitalistic enterprise in the American colonies, both in New England and in the southern regions. Our main source is R.J. Tawney, Religion and the Rise of Capitalism (Holland Memorial Lectures 1922 at King's College, London) and our bibliography is based on works consulted by Tawney before 1937. Other, more recent works on the subject are also listed, taken largely from the Library of the World Council of Churches, 150 route de Ferney, Geneva, Switzerland. How does our historical study assist 20th century capitalism, in seeking a new philosophical and ethical basis? One lesson we may learn is that each historical period provides its own answer to this question.
Language
German
HSG Classification
contribution to scientific community
Refereed
No
Subject(s)
Eprints ID
17443