The Sociology of Religion

(Paperback)

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A classic text that launched the discipline of the sociology of religion, by the principal founder of modern social science, this text is just one section of Weber's multi-volume treatment of economy and society, "Wirtshaft und Gesellschaft", which was unfinished when Weber died in 1920. Weber summarizes the theories and concepts upon which his sociology of religion rests, and masterfully demonstrates that throughout history, religion has been a significant dynamic factor in social change.

Reviews

"Weber has the rare ability to ask the right questions truly important questions which others had overlooked and, in addition, to develop contextual tools which contribute to their solution. For this reason he has become a scholar's scholar." Christian Century

"The book is the most crucial contribution of our century to the comparitive and evolutionary understanding of the relationship between society and religion, and even society and culture generally." Talcott Parsons, from the introduction

"Max Weber ... exemplifies the way in which the moral stamina to live with some of the major existential dilemnas of an age can enrich a scholar's work and ennoble his life." The New York Times Book Review

Author Bio

Max Weber (1864-1920) was a principal creator of modern social science.