Applying Weber : analysis of low and middle income Muslims in Singapore

Abstract

This study is based on Max Weber’s (1958) thesis on The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism whereby he argued that there is an elective affinity between religious ethic and economic ethics. The religious ethic found in Protestants, particularly Calvinists, is through the concept of predestination brought about by inner-worldly asceticism and the economic ethics of accumulating as much profits as possible. The aim of this qualitative study is to look at the religious ethics, held by Singaporean Muslims, and how these religious ethics guide their actions of accumulating income. This is done by analyzing low and middle income Muslims using these themes: (i) understanding of predestination and predetermination; (ii) quest for salvation through religious motivations; (iii) asceticism through religious practices; (iv) rationality of actions.