Max Weber’s notion of asceticism

Abstract

The notion of asceticism plays a large and important role in Max Weber’s writings; however, it has remained relatively unexamined. Weber did not offer a definition of asceticism, but he did provide a contrast between the ‘polar concepts’ of the ascetic and the mystic. In this paper I discuss this contrast and place it within the historical context of the early and medieval monks. Then, I examine Weber’s discussions of the four major monastic reform movements. I conclude with a discussion concerning Weber’s political preferences for the strict, rational conduct of the ascetic, and especially his own personal inclinations towards asceticism.