Weber's research on sociology of religion began with a paper entitled Protestant Ethics and the Spirit of Capitalism, and continued to explore in Religion in China: Confucianism and Taoism, Religion in India: Sociology of Hinduism and Buddhism, and Ancient Judaism. His research on other religions was interrupted by his sudden death in 1920, which prevented him from continuing a series of research after ancient Judaism, including the planned research on poetry, Talmud and early Christianity and Islam. His three major research focuses are the influence of religion on economic activities, the relationship between social class and religious ideals, and the unique characteristics of western civilization.

The Protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism

In Protestant Ethics and the Spirit of Capitalism, Weber put forward a famous argument: "That is, the Protestant life ethics has influenced the development of capitalism. The tradition of general religion often excludes secular affairs, especially the pursuit of economic achievements, but why does Protestantism not have this concept? " Weber explained this paradox in his paper.

Religions in China: Confucianism and Taoism

Religion in China: Confucianism and Taoism is Weber's second major work on religious sociology. Weber devoted himself to exploring the differences between China society and Western European society, especially the comparison with Puritans. He also asked a question: "Why didn't China develop capitalism?" Weber focused on the early history of China, especially during the period of contention of a hundred schools of thought and the Warring States Period, during which the main schools of China thought (Confucianism and Taoism) began to appear.

Religion in India: Sociology of Hinduism and Buddhism

Religion in India: Sociology of Hinduism and Buddhism is Weber's third major work on sociology of religion. In this book, he examines the structure of Indian society, compares orthodox Hindu teachings with unorthodox Buddhist teachings, and the influence of other folk beliefs, and finally studies the influence of these religious thoughts on Indian social moral values in this world.

political sociology

In Sociology of Politics and Government, one of Weber's most important contributions is a paper entitled Politics as a Career. In this paper, Weber put forward the definition of the state: that is, the state is an entity with a monopoly position in the legal use of violence, and this definition has become an important basis for western social science. In this paper, Weber believes that politics should be regarded as any activity that will affect the distribution of power to control violence. Therefore, politics comes purely from power.