Pessimistic economic forecasts, the exodus of industrial companies, jobs under threat. Is the European economic system coming to an end? Sociologist Max Weber (1864-1920) focused primarily on the early stages of modern capitalism. In contrast to historical materialism, he attributed economic take-off not only to technical progress, but also to a religiously based work ethic. Many scholars from other cultural circles asked whether there were equivalents to this work ethic.

As a sick man, Max Weber suddenly found himself outside the bourgeois professional world. In his later speeches, he professes a professional ethic that understands a profession as a calling. In contrast, today's talk of "jobs" seems petty and arbitrary. The text and letter edition of the Max Weber Complete Works makes it possible to read his academic work and biography in a new way. The new digital edition provides quick and direct access.

About the Author: Dr. Edith Hanke holds a Ph.D. in political science and has been a member of the staff Academy of Sciences and Humanities Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities Munich since 1990. As general editor, she oversaw the completion of the 47-volume Max Weber Collected Works in 2020 and personally edited the section on “sociology of domination.” Since 2021, she has been working on the “MWG digital” project.

About the lecture series: For over 20 years now, this public lecture series has been taking place, featuring presentations by scholars from the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities well Academy of Sciences and Humanities from its seven sister academies. The lectures are aimed at a broad audience and are designed to provide insights into the research being conducted. Afterward, there will be an opportunity to chat with the scholars over pretzels and wine in the Academy’s courtyard garden.

The series is held in cooperation with vhs Heidelberg.