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 doctorate in political science and has been working at the Bavarian Academy of Sciences in Munich since 1990. As general editor, she oversaw the completion of the 47-volume Max Weber Complete Edition in 2020 and edited the section on the sociology of power herself. Since 2021, she has been working on the "MWG digital" project.

About the lecture series: This public lecture series has been taking place for over 20 years now, featuring scientists from the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities as well as from its seven sister academies. The lectures are aimed at a broad audience and provide insights into the research work being carried out. Afterwards, there is an opportunity to talk to the scientists over pretzels and wine in the Academy's courtyard garden.

The series is held in cooperation with vhs Heidelberg.