Abstract

How can it be that a careful scholar of Pellicani's caliber begins his demystification of Weber's The Protestant Ethic by warning about traditional Weberian responses to criticisms such as his with countercharges of “misunderstanding or … inadequate knowledge of the Weberian methodology,” only to end up himself accused of perpetrating the same abominable malfeasance? And how is it that this thesis, allegedly so indefensible that Pellicani can readily dismiss it in 27 short pages, has not only had a considerable impact on 20th century thought but is largely responsible — at least among the broader educated populace, if not among social scientists familiar with Economy and Society — for Weber's reputation as one of this century's most important sociologist?