Rationalisation is the process by which rational ways of thinking and acting replace religious ones. Max Weber (1905) argues that Western society has undergone a process of rationalisation in the last few centuries.
Weber's 'disenchantment of the world'
describes how rationalisation has gradually remove magical and supernatural elements from society.
people now turned to logical, scientific explanations for events not divine ones
Protestant reformation and Disenchantment
reformation key to disenchantment by rejecting catholic traditions e.g. miracles and saints.
Protestantism emphasized rational behaviour which reduced need for religious explanations
Bruce's technological worldview
modern society embraced and reliant on science and technology to solve issues e.g. weatherforecasting and irrigation tech to address droughts rather than prayer
Impact of scientific knowledge
ppl increasingly rely on rational explanations for phenomena as scientific knowledge expands, contributing to secularisation
