The Catholic Ethic and the Spirit of Community

Starting where Max Weber's The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism left off, John E. Tropman develops the idea that there is another religious-based ethic permeating society, a Catholic ethic. Where Weber proposed that a Protestant ethic supported the development of capitalism, Tropman argues that there is a Catholic ethic as well, and that it is more caring and community-oriented.

Weber's notion of the Protestant ethic has become widely accepted, but until Tropman's work, beginning in the mid-1980s, there had been no complete discussion of another fully-formed religious-based ethic. He suggests that if the Protestant ethic is an "achievement" ethic, the Catholic ethic is a "helping" one. Tropman outlines a Catholic ethic that is distinctive in its sympathy and outreach toward the poor, and in its emphasis on family and community over economic success. This book fully explores the Catholic ethic and its differing focus by using both historical and survey research. It also points to the existence of other religious-based ethics.

This clearly writte

John E. Tropman is author of a number of books. He has a Ph.D. in sociology and social work and is a professor of social welfare and business at the University of Michigan

Tables and Figures

xv

Foreword

xvii

James V. Denova

Preface

xix

Acknowledgments

xxi

Introduction The Catholic Ethic: Whys and Wherefores

1

(10)

PART I The Catholic Ethic and the Spirit of Community

11

(24)

The Catholic Ethic and the Protestant Ethic

13

(12)

The Hidden Ethic

25

(10)

PART II Pillars of the Catholic Ethic

35

(46)

Work and the Catholic Ethic: What Work Means

39

(6)

Money and the Catholic Ethic: What Money Buys

45

(7)

Family and the Catholic Ethic: All in the Family

52

(6)

Fault-Forgiveness and the Catholic Ethic: I'm OK, You're OK

58

(9)

Otherworldliness and the Catholic Ethic: Where Change and Achievement Can Really Matter

67

(7)

Structural Features of the Catholic Ethic

74

(7)

PART III A Cultural and Structural History of the Catholic Ethic and Community Helping

81

(42)

A Social Values Perspective on the Catholic Ethic and Community Helping

87

(16)

A Social Structural Perspective on the Catholic Ethic and Community Helping

103

(20)

PART IV Expressions of the Catholic Ethic: Public Policy Opinion in Contemporary America

123

(30)

Let the Numbers Do the Talking

125

(28)

PART V The Long View: Past, Present, and Future

153

(98)

Applications of the Catholic Ethic Concept: Schematics and Prismatics

157

(18)

The Catholic Ethic: Questions and Conclusions

175

(76)

Appendices

Appendix A Theological Reflections on the Catholic Ethic---Gregory Baum

193

(13)

Appendix B The Practice of Charity: The Example of Catholic Charities USA---Thomas J. Harvey

206

(12)

Appendix C The Cadre Study

218

(13)

Appendix D Social Encyclicals of the Catholic Church---Gerhard J. Schwab

231

(17)

Appendix E Catholic Sites on the Internet

248

(3)

Notes

251

(16)

Bibliography

267

(18)

Index

285

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The Catholic Ethic and the Spirit of Community

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials