ANTH 4751 Lecture 2: Marx, Kalberg, and Durkheim
Contributions to a Critique of Hegel’s Philosophy of the Right [Marx]
ANTH 4751, Spring 2019
What It Is: Karl Marx, "Contributions to a Critique of Hegel's Philosophy of the Right," 1844 (Excerpt).
Introduction: In this very short selection, Karl Marx, one of the most influential early social scientific
theorists, expresses part of his views on religion relative to society.
Why We are Reading It: This will give you a first-hand look at Marx's thoughts on religion, which have
(of course) influenced Marxist, Neo-Marxist, and Post-structural theoretical framings of religion.
Man makes religion
Religion as a reflection of man in the fantastic reality of heaven; the self-consciousness and self-
esteem of man who has either not yet won through to himself or has already lost himself again
State and society produce religion
Religious suffering = the expression of real suffering and a protest against real suffering
Religion = sigh of the oppressed, heart of a heartless world, soul of soulless conditions (the opium
of people)
Abolition of religion
Demand for the real happiness of the people; give up illusions about their condition by
giving up a condition that requires illusions
Criticism of Heaven=criticism of Earth
Criticism of religion=criticism of law
Criticism of theology=criticism of politics
Introduction to The Protestant Ethic [Kalberg]
ANTH 4751, Spring 2019
What It Is: Stephen Kalberg, "Introduction to The Protestant Ethic", Roxbury Publishing
Company, 2002. (Excerpts)
Introduction: Kalberg summarizes some of the main arguments of Max Weber, a
famous sociologist, in his 1904/1905 book The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of
Capitalism.
Why We are Reading It: Weber was a very early pioneer in interpretive approaches to
religion, arguably the primary influence on anthropology of religion, and has thus
been incredibly influential. Protestant Ethic is perhaps his best-known work on
religion.
Max Weber's The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism (PE)
An explanation for the rise of modern capitalism
Weber contends the spirit grew out of the Protestant ethic of 16th and 17th century Puritan
churches and sects; a central religious source
Social scientists must seek to understand the activities of others contextually by reference to the
world they lived and the nature of their motives for acting
Document Summary
Contributions to a critique of hegel"s philosophy of the right [marx] What it is: karl marx, "contributions to a critique of hegel"s philosophy of the right," 1844 (excerpt). Introduction: in this very short selection, karl marx, one of the most influential early social scientific theorists, expresses part of his views on religion relative to society. Why we are reading it: this will give you a first-hand look at marx"s thoughts on religion, which have (of course) influenced marxist, neo-marxist, and post-structural theoretical framings of religion. Religion as a reflection of man in the fantastic reality of heaven; the self-consciousness and self- esteem of man who has either not yet won through to himself or has already lost himself again. Religious suffering = the expression of real suffering and a protest against real suffering. Religion = sigh of the oppressed, heart of a heartless world, soul of soulless conditions (the opium of people)
