Book : Religion And The Rise Of Capitalism - Friedman,...

-Titulo Original : Religion And The Rise Of Capitalism

-Fabricante :

Vintage

-Descripcion Original:

From one of the nations preeminent experts on economic policy, a major reassessment of the foundations of modern economic thinking that explores the profound influence of a previously unrecognized force-religion.An original and brilliant new perspective on the terrifying divisions of our own times. No book could be more important.” -George A. Akerlof, Nobel laureate in economics Critics of contemporary economics complain that the commitment to free markets is a form of religion. As it turns out, there is something to this claim-but in a deeper, more historically grounded sense. Contrary to the conventional view of economics as an entirely secular product of the Enlightenment, Benjamin M. Friedman demonstrates that religion has exerted a powerful influence from the outset. Beginning in the eighteenth century, hotly contended lines of religious thought within the English-speaking Protestant world decisively shaped what we now call economics. Friedman immerses us in the eras debates about God-given human character, the afterlife, and the purpose of our existence. These deep religious influences also go far in explaining the puzzling behavior of those today whose views seem sharply at odds with what would be to their own economic benefit. As one of the nation’s preeminent thinkers on economic policy, Friedman provides fascinating insights into our current debates by exploring the little-recognized force of religion. Review “Once theological questions are rendered into secular language, their relevance, and thus the importance of Friedman’s Religion and the Rise of Capitalism, becomes clear . . . This overview cannot even begin to pay homage to the prodigious research informing Friedman’s analysis. He covers not only the main thinkers in both economics and theology, but also the less-well-known ones who helped shape their thought. He can credibly discuss the philosophy of John Locke and the science of Isaac Newton. As one reads Friedman, words like “magisterial,” “masterpiece” and “magnificent” floated through my thoughts . . . If someone had told me that a former chairman of the Harvard economics department would write a major work on Calvinism and its influence, you would have had to consider me a skeptic. Nonetheless Friedman has, and the result is an awakening all its own.”-Alan Wolfe, The New York Times Book Review“Friedman has made an important contribution to the literature on the intertwining of Western economic thought with religious beliefs. His detailed tracing of the philosophical and theological roots of free market economics is well researched, well written, and well worth reading.”-Carol Elsen, Library Journal (starred review)“A bracing challenge to narrowly secular assessments of economic theory.”- Bryce Christensen, Booklist (starred review)“Of the many factors that went into the construction of the modern economic worldview undergirding capitalism, Friedman has successfully added religion back into the causal equation.”-Michael Shermer, The American Scholar “Ben Friedman’s Religion and the Rise of Capitalism is an expansive and intricate tapestry depicting the progression and interaction of ideas and events in economics and (mainly Protestant) religion across four centuries. The richness of the woven strands does not obscure the thematic integrity of the book’s central argument.”-Bruce MacLaury, President Emeritus, The Brookings Institution “Religion and the Rise of Capitalism takes longstanding debates over religion and capitalism in a surprising new direction. Benjamin Friedman makes his case with the erudition and particularity of a leading academic economist. His arguments are sure to generate new thinking and debate from all sides.”-Christopher DeMuth, Distinguished Fellow, Hudson Institute “Ben Friedmans fascinating and impressive account of the interaction of economics and religion combines both mastery of the history of economic theory and a profound engagement with