<P> Other scholars have taken a more nuanced view of Weber's argument . Weber states in the closing of this essay, "it is, of course, not my aim to substitute for a one - sided materialistic an equally one - sided spiritualistic causal interpretation of culture and history . Each is equally possible, but each if it does not serve as the preparation, but as the conclusion of an investigation, accomplishes equally little in the interest of historical truth ." Weber's argument can be understood as an attempt to deepen the understanding of the cultural origins of capitalism, which does not exclude the historical materialist origins described by Marx: modern capitalism emerged from an elective affinity of' material; and' ideal' factors . </P> <P> Table of contents from the 1958 Scribner's edition, with section titles added by Talcott Parsons: Part 1 . The Problem </P> <Dl> <Dd> I. Religious Affiliation and Social Stratification </Dd> </Dl> <Dd> I. Religious Affiliation and Social Stratification </Dd>

Max weber protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism summary