This paper examines Max Weber's 'The Religion of India' and places it in the wider context of his work. It tries to show in detail how Weber's study of India formed part of the comparative analysis of world civilizations which was the natural result of his interest in the causal antecedents of the rise of industrial capitalism in the West. With this background correctly understood, it is possible to appreciate why Weber approached Indian religion in the way that he did, and to avoid some common mistakes. Weber is summarized on the most important aspects of Indian religion and a brief attempt is made to state how valid his remarks still are.
目次
Abstract 526 Introduction 526 Three Fallacies in the Interpretation of the Weber Thesis 526 Examples of the Fallacies 527 Probable reasons for the prevalance of the fallacies 529 The Challenge to the Weber Thesis 531 The Chinese case 532 The Indian case 534 Jainism 534 Caste and Status Group 535 Brahmanical Religion 537 Buddhism 538 The Religion of the Masses 540 Conclusion 541 Notes 541 References 542
