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Quakerism
The antithesis of the capitalist spirit. Traditionalism is an economic viewpoint that centers around minimizing work and maximizing pleasure and leisure time—in other words, working enough to satisfy one’s needs but not attempting to accrue more and more wealth for the sake of it.
Traditionalism Quotes in The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism
The The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism quotes below are all either spoken by Traditionalism or refer to Traditionalism. For each quote, you can also see the other terms and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
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Part 1, Section 2
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A way of thinking like that of Benjamin Franklin was applauded by an entire nation. But in ancient medieval times it would have been denounced as an expression of the most filthy avarice and of an absolutely contemptible attitude.
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The extra money appealed to [the worker] less than the reduction in work; he did not ask: How much can I earn in a day if I do the maximum possible amount of work in a day? But: How much must I work in order to earn the same amount […] that I used to earn and which covers my traditional needs?
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Part 2, Section 2
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If we may sum up what has been said so far, then, innerworldly Protestant asceticism works with all it force against the uninhibited enjoyment of possessions; it discourages consumption, especially the consumption of luxuries. Conversely, it has the effect of liberating the acquisition of wealth from the inhibitions of traditionalist ethics; it breaks the fetters on the striving for gain by not only legalizing it, but […] seeing it as directly willed by God.
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As asceticism began to change the world and endeavored to exercise its influence over it, the outward goods of this world gained increasing and finally inescapable power over men, as never before in history.
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Traditionalism Term Timeline in The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism
The timeline below shows where the term Traditionalism appears in The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Part 1, Section 2: The “Spirit” of Capitalism
Weber states that the capitalist spirit had to contend with “traditionalism,” an attitude towards life that Weber will also explain through illustration. He explains that entrepreneurs...
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Instead, under the traditionalist mentality, the workers usually did less work, since the raised rates meant they could make...
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...a culture, capitalism flourishes. However, Weber notes that certain members of society still tend towards traditionalist values, especially female workers. Weber argues that this mentality among women can be averted by...
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Weber observes that economies tend to swing between “subsistence,” where people work to survive (traditionalism), and “acquisition,” where people work to build wealth (capitalism). The movement between a subsistence economy...
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Weber uses the textile industry as an example of the traditionalist worker amidst a capitalist economy. Until the mid-1800s, the average textile maker bought his materials,...
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...calculating and achieving profits. Weber notes it may appear that the shift away from the traditionalist lifestyle results from the rise of rationalism, and that rationalism must follow Protestantism. While this...
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Part 1, Section 3: Luther’s Conception of the Calling
Notably, Weber argues that the Bible, which Luther believed supported the calling, is primarily traditionalist in its approach towards money. Jesus, especially, teaches his followers to subsist day by day...
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Part 2, Section 2: Asceticism and the Capitalist Spirit
...argues that this conveniently overlooks the majority of the Old Testament which takes a thoroughly traditionalist stance towards money and warns against pursuing wealth. Weber states that the Puritans commit a...
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