Changes

Early 20th century German [[sociologist]] [[Max Weber]] made a distinction between innerweltliche and ausserweltliche asceticism, which means (roughly) "inside the world" and "outside the world", respectively. [[Talcott Parsons]] translated these as "worldly" and "otherworldly" (some translators use "inner-worldly", but that has a different connotation in [[English]] and is probably not what Weber had in mind).

Early 20th century German [[sociologist]] [[Max Weber]] made a distinction between innerweltliche and ausserweltliche asceticism, which means (roughly) "inside the world" and "outside the world", respectively. [[Talcott Parsons]] translated these as "worldly" and "otherworldly" (some translators use "inner-worldly", but that has a different connotation in [[English]] and is probably not what Weber had in mind).

"Otherworldly" asceticism is practiced by people who withdraw from the world in order to live an ascetic life (this includes [[monks]] who live communally in monasteries, as well as [[hermits]] who live alone). "Worldly" asceticism refers to people who live ascetic lives but don't withdraw from the world, much like Vincent Van Gogh in the 1800s. Weber claimed that this distinction originated in the P[[rotestant Reformation]], but later became secularized, so the [[concept]] can be applied to both religious and secular ascetics.

"Otherworldly" asceticism is practiced by people who withdraw from the world in order to live an ascetic life (this includes [[monks]] who live communally in monasteries, as well as [[hermits]] who live alone). "Worldly" asceticism refers to people who live ascetic lives but don't withdraw from the world, much like Vincent Van Gogh in the 1800s. Weber claimed that this distinction originated in the [[Protestant Reformation]], but later became secularized, so the [[concept]] can be applied to both religious and secular ascetics.

20th century American psychological theorist David McClelland suggested that worldly asceticism is specifically targeted against worldly pleasures that distract people from their calling, and may accept worldly pleasures that are not distracting. As an example, he pointed out that Quakers have historically objected to bright colored clothing, but that wealthy Quakers often made their drab clothing out of expensive materials. The color was considered distracting, but the materials were not. Amish groups use similar criteria to make decisions about which modern technologies to use and which to avoid.[1]

20th century American psychological theorist David McClelland suggested that worldly asceticism is specifically targeted against worldly pleasures that distract people from their calling, and may accept worldly pleasures that are not distracting. As an example, he pointed out that Quakers have historically objected to bright colored clothing, but that wealthy Quakers often made their drab clothing out of expensive materials. The color was considered distracting, but the materials were not. Amish groups use similar criteria to make decisions about which modern technologies to use and which to avoid.[1]