Religion and the rise of capitalism : $b A historical study

"Religion and the Rise of Capitalism: A Historical Study" by R. H. Tawney is a historical account written in the early 20th century. The book explores the relationship between religious thought and social organization during the transition from medieval to modern theories, focusing on how changes in religious opinions influenced economic practices. Tawney delves into themes of social morality and the evolution of economic thought, particularly examining how these factors interacted during pivotal historical periods. The opening of the study introduces the author's intention to trace the development of religious thought regarding social and economic issues leading up to the early 18th century. Tawney emphasizes the significant interplay between religious revolutions and the economic changes that accompanied the Renaissance and Reformation. He references influential scholars, acknowledging their contributions to understanding the evolution of social ethics, while setting the stage for his exploration of how medieval concepts of morality and economic practices gave way to more modern interpretations, ultimately questioning the very foundations of economic conduct in light of religious values. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Richard Henry Tawney was an English economic historian, social critic, ethical socialist, Christian socialist, and important proponent of adult education. The Oxford Companion to British History (1997) explained that Tawney made a "significant impact" in these "interrelated roles". A. L. Rowse goes further by insisting that "Tawney exercised the widest influence of any historian of his time, politically, socially and, above all, educationally".