Final answer:
Calvin's concept of predestination suggests that God has decided who will be saved, influencing the Protestant work ethic where hard work indicated one's likelihood of salvation. This belief affected daily activities, self-examination, and societal attitudes toward work, contributing to the rise of capitalism as presented by Max Weber.
Step-by-step explanation:
When discussing Predestination Legacies - Common Ground as discussed by Work, we are referring to the concept popularized by John Calvin within Christian theology. Predestination is the belief that God has predetermined the destiny of every soul, specifically regarding salvation. Calvin's perspective emphasized that hard work and success in one's life could be signs of being one of the 'elect,' chosen by God for salvation. This idea profoundly influenced the Protestant work ethic, suggesting that personal diligence in work was a reflection of one's spiritual status.
Max Weber, in his essays, connected the Protestant work ethic to the rise of capitalism, highlighting how the perception of work and its value shaped economic systems. The notion that one's fate was sealed from birth prompted individuals to look for indications of their 'election' in their daily lives, often leading to meticulous self-examination and proof of conversion for church membership.
Questions about free will versus predestination continue to challenge theological and philosophical discussions, raising questions about accountability, fate, and personal agency. The interplay of these beliefs with the everyday concept of work has left a significant legacy in how labor and success are perceived in modern society.