In search of an appropriate contemporary approach in Christian ethics : Max Weber’s ethic of responsibility as resource

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Authors

De Villiers, D.E. (Dawid Etienne)

Journal Title

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Volume Title

Publisher

OpenJournals Publishing

Abstract

The article addresses the question: ‘To what extent can Max Weber’s ethic of responsibility be a helpful resource in the search of Christian Social Ethics for an appropriate contemporary approach’? This question is addressed by, first of all, providing a summary of Weber’s famous speech Politics as a Vocation in which he developed his view on the ethic of responsibility; secondly, providing an interpretation of his view; and, thirdly, critically discussing the extent to which this ethic can serve as a resource for Christian Social Ethics in its search for an appropriate contemporary approach. The conclusion is that although some aspects of Weber’s view on the ethic of responsibility are unacceptable to Christian Social Ethics, the core of it is commendable. Some of the implications of incorporating an ethic of responsibility approach in Christian Social Ethics are also briefly discussed.

Description

My summary is based on the English translation of the speech by Lassman and Speirs (1994:309–369).

Keywords

Christian social ethics, Politics as a vocation, Weber’s ethic of responsibility, Christian Social Ethics, Ethics

Sustainable Development Goals

Citation

De Villiers, D.E., 2015, ‘In search of an appropriate contemporary approach in Christian ethics: Max Weber’s ethic of responsibility as resource', HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies 71(1), Art. #2948, 8 pages. http://dx.DOI.org/ 10.4102/hts.v71i1.2948.