Abstract
Max Weber's thesis that rational capitalism arose only in the West seems to be undermined by Weber's own examination of China. However, he points out there are fundamental differences between China and the West; the former is traditional, personal, and world-affirming while the latter had become bureaucratic, law-abiding, and world-rejecting. The Chinese used reason as the means towards health, happiness, and long life, and they embraced magic in dealing with this world. The Puritans rejected this world and were condemned to isolation and inner loneliness because they could not answer the question whether they were members of the Elect. Rational acquisition began as a means to glorify God and as an indication of salvation; in time, this excessive rationalism gave rise to modern capitalism in the West. Superficially, China might be a problem to Weber's thesis, but as he demonstrated, there were too many important differences.
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