Foundations of Business Thought, Article Review Example

Part 1: Questions

Explain the protestant notion of calling and how that is related to the division of labor concept of Plato’s work?

The idea of the “calling” specifically makes a great impact on how people consider themselves to be a part of something based on divine providence. When people believe such a matter, they do not question anything and take the role they think God himself has chosen for them. In this case, the idea of the “calling” helps in the establishment of hierarchy that is needed in making a more refined economic system in the society. Relatively, it could be understood that with this condition, the division of labor becomes effective enough to provide a more refined indication of the proper placing of each individual based on the roles they are supposed to play in the society.

According to Weber, what is the first deadliest of sins? Why is that so important?

Waste of time is the first of all the deadliest sins. Understandably, it could be analyzed time is such a great element that defines the possibility by which individuals are able to complete their roles based on the fact that they are able to use time effectively so as to make their worth in the community more refined and recognized. Notably, with the recognition of wasted time as a deadly sin, then individuals become specifically concerned as to how they use their time wisely and practically perform the role they are expected to handle.

Describe and analyze the Protestant assessment of wealth.

Gaining too much is not something that is being promoted by the Protestant belief, however, it is the capability to work according to the role that they are expected to handle that gives them proper worth. Notably, it could be understood that with this consideration of personal worth and getting the benefits from all their hard work, the Protestant’s assessment of wealth helps in creating a more refined indication of what work is and what the work’s value is for them.

Explain how Protestant wealth becomes a sign of God Blessing. Compare this to Tawney’s assessment of the feudal Catholic view of the same subject.

Somehow, given that when wealth is gained and that God is the one who has provided it [as believed] gives the Protestants the idea that they are able to do something that is pleasant in God’s eyes. On the other hand, the feudal Catholic view of such matter is more dependent on the balance on how people exchange values as a matter of responsibility towards their fellowmen as per advised by God himself. It could be understood that with these differences of views, while Protestants focus on how they do their responsibilities in accordance with themselves, the feudal Catholics deal with their responsibilities in consideration with their responsibility for their fellowmen.

How does Weber explain the Protestant idea of unequal distribution of goods?

Given that each ones has a calling, each one deserves to receive the benefits of his own work based on his own calling. Their calling defines them as individuals and as members of the society. Working towards their own worth through working with their own roles gives them a sense of self-worth. Relatively, the unequal distribution of wealth is not something to be worried about but instead something to be accepted. The acceptance of such matter makes it easier for the society to adjust accordingly to the current system of the economy.

Part 2: Questions

What are the implications of what Tawney calls the doctrine of “modern economic civilization?”

Tawney basically argues that the doctrine of the modern economic civilization is based upon the principles of modern capitalism which is most often than not relatively connected to the idealisms of the egoistic pursuit of one’s personalized material goals. In line with this, the economy is further empowered by the personal desires of individuals who have the chance and the motivation to work on their aspirations hence utilizing the resources of the society to further feed their dreams and have these dreams be realized on their part. True to its sense, the modern society of commercial power belongs to those who are ambitious enough to gain what they think they deserve as a member of this society.

Describe the “struggle between humanitarian sentiment and the theory of property”

Employees are considerably [in a way] owned by their employer; thus are noted as the property of the business owner. In the struggle between the humanitarian sentiment and the theory of property, a consideration on human rights versus the rights to ownership is being constantly debated upon. What should be considered as superior against the other is a constant inquiry being given attention to when these two elements of modern economy is being discussed about. Relatively, balancing both is somewhat impossible as one has to be more important than the other hence placing the other element of modern economy in subjection. However, the question remains of whether it is the right to property or the right to life that must be given higher value between the two.

Why would Tawney believe that the “enjoyment of property and the direction of industry” are right that stand on their own virtue?

Basically, an individual deserves to enjoy what he owns or what he has gained and has become rightfully his. In a way, this means that when one is able to take possession of something, it is his right to use it or enjoy its benefits. This is a right that has its own virtue depending on how the owner sees the benefit to specifically impact his personality. On the other end, the direction of industry is described as the right that belongs to the owners of the industries [or in this cases the business organizations that they manage]. In connection with the emergence of the right towards the enjoyment of property comes the right that makes them more powerful in controlling the direction of industry.

According to Tawney, what is “economic egotism” and how does that relate to greed and competition?

Economic egotism is specifically noted as the process by which one person becomes specifically focused on personal material desires. Most likely, a person who has power over economic systems would have a great impact on how the economy itself advances. Relatively, Tawney imposes that the personal desires of individuals usually get over the right of other groups of people in the society so as to get what they want. Believably, Tawney makes a great indication that personal ego becomes an overrated desire that it gets over the indication of greed and competition that both fuels the economy’s growth.

What is a “Functional Society” and why does Tawney believe it does not exist?

Balance between the release and acceptance of service that is specifically a presentation of exchange of values between the members of the society. In a way though, it could be analyzed that such an existence is impossible especially that the case of economic egotism seems to work best for the application of the principles of capitalism that fuels the growth of the current economy. Notably, it is assumed that without the occurrence of such “greed” or egotism on the part of those who control the economy [the business owners] competition would not occur hence the growth of such system cannot be conceived properly. A functional society that is much balanced in between the service providers and the ones receiving it might not occur as much efficient as it does at present.

Describe the differences between Tawney’s “Functional society” and “acquisitive society”

A functional society is based on the balance of exchange of values between performers in the economic society. On the other end, the acquisitive society honors the differences between the players in the economy in a way that they are able to balance out the competition hence making it easier for the values to be exchanged between the players. Believably, the current economy only functions due to the existence of competition hence making a great impact on how the players are able to receive the values they deserve in relative connection to how each individual plays as part of the hierarchy of functions within the said system of economy.