Final answer:
Max Weber suggested that Protestantism led to disenchantment by promoting a rational, methodical approach to life that diminished the mystical elements inherent in more polytheistic beliefs, which in turn fostered the development of capitalism and a more secular world.
Step-by-step explanation:
Max Weber argued that Protestantism led to "disenchantment" because it facilitated the rise of a rationalized and methodical approach to life and work, which contributed to the development of capitalism. This marked a shift from a world imbued with magic and mysticism, to a more predictable, bureaucratic, and disenchanted one. The disenchantment described by Weber refers to a world becoming more explained and less mystical, setting the stage for the advance of secular and scientific reasoning over religious or magical explanations of the world. The Protestant work ethic, with its emphasis on hard work, thrift, and individual achievement, may have led to material success and economic growth, but it also resulted in a more disenchanted world, less rich in the sublime values that were earlier associated with religious belief and a more polytheistic worldview.
The drive for personal gain, individual salvation, and a focus on economic activity, while contributing positively to societal productivity and economic prosperity, gradually eroded the spiritual and mystical elements of human life. The modern world's reliance on reason and empirical evidence over faith or superstition has largely stemmed from the values embedded in Protestantism.