THE PROTESTANT ETHIC AND ROCKEFELLER BENEVOLENCE - THE RELIGIOUS IMPULSE IN AMERICAN PHILANTHROPY

This paper is an application of Max Weber's thesis about the ''electiv e affinity'' between Protestant religious impulses and the rise of cap italism, and rationalization of benevolence. Exploring the history of organized philanthropy in the United States, using the life and work o f John D. Rockefeller, the paper presents the power of the religious m otive in Rockefeller's commitment to philanthropy, especially towards support for scientific university based research in medicine. Presenti ng historical evidence, the paper argues against those who see U.S. ph ilanthropists as giving out of guilt or for selfish motivation, and th ose who critique philanthropic foundations as producers and reproducer s of cultural hegemony.