The origins of charisma

Re: “The ‘It’ Factor,” May 29: It was Max Weber, father of modern sociology, who originally defined the It of the It factor.

“Charisma” had formerly been a religious term indicating the showing of holy illumination. Weber recoined it to mean: that in a political leader which appeals to the irrational.

I don’t see today’s spin doctors or self-help gurus adding much to that.

ANDY FAHRENWALD

Sutter Creek