Ethics plays a vital role in shaping human minds and strengthening a sense of belonging to humanity. The problem is that the concept of ethics varies across regions, eras, and cultures. It has become necessary to establish a universal framework that treats ethics as a fundamental human value.

This is where the concept of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights originated. The essence of Protestantism, as described by sociologist Max Weber in his book “The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, lies in its ability to transform organized worldly work into a moral and religious duty, combined with a life of discipline and austerity.

In this system, economic success is seen as a reflection of diligence and discipline, rather than mere pursuit of material wealth. Any honorable profession, when regarded as a divine calling, must be approached with utmost seriousness and consistency, rather than merely as a source of income or entertainment.

Worldly asceticism encourages believers to pursue rational and organized means of earning while avoiding extravagance, luxury, and ostentatious spending. Profits are reinvested rather than squandered on fleeting pleasures. In so-called Calvinist cities such as Geneva, Zurich, and Amsterdam, strict values were implemented. Extravagance was discouraged, time and work were organized, public conduct was monitored, disciplined commerce and saving were promoted, and fear of God was linked to commitment to work, crafts, and trade.

As a result, the diligent and austere merchant or banker became a respected moral model. This gave rise to a culture of diaries, bookkeeping, and strict adherence to contracts, alongside a relatively simple domestic life. England and the United States adopted these principles early on through the Puritans, who celebrated the “self-made man” who built himself up through work, discipline, and frugality. This does not mean that others did not adopt these Protestant ethics.

One criticism of Weber, among others, is that he exaggerated the role of Protestantism while downplaying other contributing factors. The manifestations of modern capitalism also appeared in Catholic cities and regions, such as Italy and France, before the spread of Calvinism. This fact challenges the notion of an exclusive link between Protestantism and the rise of capitalism. Consequently, these values are not unique to Protestants, as similar principles exist in Catholicism, Judaism, Islam, and Confucianism, where the ultimate goal of morality is to cultivate the noble individual, serving as a role model for family and community. In these traditions, morality is not merely a theoretical reflection but rather a project of education and daily conduct, connecting personal virtue with social harmony and good governance. Islam differs from Protestantism in several ways, although some thinkers claim it aligns more closely with Islam than with Catholicism in certain aspects.

In Protestantism, good character and righteous deeds are seen as evidence of true faith. In Islam, however, faith requires not only belief in the heart but also the performance of specific daily and seasonal religious rituals as conditions for salvation and entry into Paradise on the Day of Judgment. Belief alone is insufficient, but it must be accompanied by adherence to clear tenets and the proper practice of acts of worship at their designated times and places.

By Ahmad alsarraf
 email: [email protected]