Starting Points of Weber’s Interpretation of Religions

Abstract

This study seeks to shed light on several key ideas in the interpretation of religion developed by the German sociologist Max Weber. It first examines the general perspective and objectives of his analysis of religious systems, with particular emphasis on his interest in the religious motivation underlying practical behaviour. Weber’s conception of the role of the religious “factor” in historical and cultural development is elaborated, focusing on his understanding of religion as a sense-creating system and its tendency towards the ethical rationalisation of the world. The study then considers Weber’s views on the various types of religiosity—magical, ritualistic and priestly forms, as well as the ethical “religions of salvation.”