Max Weber's social philosophy

 Max Weber's social philosophy
one's life
Weber Max Weber was born in Thuringia in 1864, the city of Erfurt, longer than Berlin. His father was a jurist and municipal councilors, the mother Calvinism is a devout believer. Weber's home in Berlin is the upper bourgeoisie, in their circle of contacts there are many prominent intellectuals and politicians, its include Dilthey, Monson, Schmidt, Shu Bell.
Weber sick teenager, but the days of intellectual intelligent, intellectual precocity. high school that read, literature, history, philosophy, economy and other fields have a strong interest in sociological research for his future lay in a good foundation. Weber, 18 years into the University of Heidelberg to study law, completing a PhD thesis in 1889 Troy Welch and religious historians and philosophers of the past closely Rickert. Since then, Weber suffering from mental illness, which lasted five years until 1903 before start of academic writing activities. This is the period after the intelligence Weber the most active period, he completed and published his major sociological work, which includes the famous:
Weber thought rooted in German tradition of Humanism. concern is his subjective motivation and the intrinsic link between the social system, from a philosophical point of view, not in some sort of rational explanation of human nature or human values, but based on the social system. It consists of two aspects of meaning: first, to describe people from the social system, values, belong to the scope of cultural philosophy. Weber's core concept is reasonable. rationality of an individual value orientation provides a common reference for the establishment of a social system of social activities and provides a logical basis of science. Second, starting from the interpretation of individual action and social structure changes, is a sociological category. Philosophy of Wei Bosi want to focus on his research methodology and the sociology of human behavior carried out by the interpretation.
Second, explore the path of social and cultural problems of social problems
Weber, the starting point is the individual's action, he said that the community science is a social action in order to understand the impact of its processes and causal explanation of the science. of Sociology, the individuals and their actions are the basic unit of society, is a meaningful act of the upper and the sole carrier. this understanding Dilthey and others no doubt the spirit advocated by the scientific methodology, and the people - society - the reality is different from the historical reality of nature, it is the individual's subjective actions of the people. In contrast, groups, organizations are many result of interaction between individuals, does not have ultimate significance. At this point, Weber with the impact of positivism by the French sociologist Durkheim distinguished here. in accordance with the views of Durkheim, society is an independent the individual above and beyond the objective reality of the individual. This view represents an understanding of the community may be called social realism; Weber represents the understanding of another society, you can call Social nominalism.
because social action is always the individual's subjective, and therefore it can not be set to move the research to empirical methods of natural science. Weber focuses on understanding the correct grasp of the meaning of social action, understanding is the realization, input It is a way to explain the theory emphasizes, it is thought to be our only way into the social reality. Thus, also known as Weber's sociology of understanding and sociology. understand always include the individual's subjective participants are researchers, so that On the one hand to prevent prejudice, but on the other hand the value of intervention may also be hampered because of the objectivity of research. Thus, Weber focuses on understanding the value of neutrality, while also stressed. value neutrality is a basic humanities and social sciences standards.
Weber, a prominent sociological research method is his ideal type analysis. The so-called ideal type, that is, theoretical models, it is built on the basis of experience, but different from the simple experience. the ideal type as a yardstick to measure and evaluation of empirical fact, is a basic method of sociological research. Weber as distinct from empirical sociology, but also beyond any speculation on the social imaginary or a priori.
three types of social action
to understand social action, social action must be assumed with some sort of intelligibility, it is our individual actions from the Queensland community and subjectivity and objectivity of the agency toward universality. This is the actor's feelings, thoughts and motivation. a universal understanding in the group's feelings and thoughts can be said to be objective, its hidden behind the cultural values and practical considerations. Weber be expressed using the concept of reasonableness. It is We evaluate the subjective and objective provides a reference behavior. In contrast, if the subjective experience of an action is incomprehensible, it is unreasonable action. so, Weber will be divided into social action and non-rational action reasonable action.
1. rationality is an important concept in Weber's sociology. It shows a conscious action by the degree. decided to act, there are two factors: the purpose and means, and thus also includes thoughtful action Reflections on the tools and instruments. every person is always faced with many possibilities, and thus face many purposes. but he must choose one of the many purposes, this choice is related to rational thinking. fish, my objectives; eat, but also my objectives. choose which it will choose to eat normally, eat more delicious because of higher nutritional value. This is a rational consideration. Second is the means to an end and the means of choice. This includes the study of reality possible, favorable and unfavorable conditions for thinking, as well as trade-offs of different courses of action comparison and so on. When the operation is complete, for the purpose of achieving an objective to determine the extent of . Weber termed this a reasonable action for the purpose of rationality (Zweckrationalitat). Objective reasonableness is a personal choice to explain and illustrate the purpose of action. academic rationality widely translated tool is inaccurate.
Tools rational action, rational action subordinate to an end system, that individual's social action is always from one purpose to another purpose. If we come tonight philosophy lectures is to provide literacy and improve the quality philosophy is to the future work better and work better in order to succeed or else, and so on. In an action to contain the actors behind the always consciously or unconsciously, all the considerations. However, the rationality of action in the tool, not a final purpose. All are intended to the means or way other purposes.
another reasonable value as the rationality of Weber (Wertrationalitat). and tools rationality, value rationality found some absolute objective It is the object of faith rather than the object of rational choice. the ultimate value is unreasonable, it can not be objective people to think and choose; only means of rational thinking is the object. So a reasonable value of the actual value is explained by the belief action or action to give reasonable.
Weber called mainly for the value of rationality in terms of religious action. the value of rational action to lead to a corresponding social structure, its social transformation from the traditional to the modern role in the process and different manifestations of culture, which is an important issue of concern to Weber's sociology. In Weber, all the achievements of modern civilization are derived from the value and problems of rationality and reasonableness of the tension between the tool and the opposition. rationalism of modern European civilization is the product of rational behavior only in the manner and under the control of thinking will only produce math and science, will produce reasonable legal, social, administrative systems and social forms of work organization. But Weber only the rationalist in the performance of the social life as the formal aspects of rationalism; in his view, the development of rationalism in which there are still a reasonable value, that is the purpose of reasonable action that allows subordinate to the values and ideals. Therefore, he also said that the value of rationality as a substantive rationality.
2. unreasonable actions include both traditional mobile and emotional action. They are considered unreasonable reason, is Because these actions are without thought and reflection. traditional action refers to actions undertaken by the habit, such as a personal habit of behavior, action by the impact of traditional culture, and so on. complacent, rigid, are traditional action. each political reform reform movement will be met with obstacles from traditional operations, there are obviously many traditional action is unreasonable, but because it is traditional, it can agree to some of the people.
emotional action refers to a sense of domination by the emotions and actions or that the action taken on impulse. It is not without conscious consideration and reflection. It is also in the life of a large proportion. Many of the actions are unjustifiable. Some actions may seem reasonable, in fact without serious consideration. They are irrational action.
course, the above distinction between the action has only good sense. any kind of real life are not this simple action. Each action may include a variety of factors. and put in a different era or environment, for the same actions can make a different understanding. such as wandering, is that many young adolescents prone to emotional impulses. It also has a variety of reasons, the reality resentful, longing, and so far away. But these are not objective. vagrant is not a reasonable approach toward one purpose, nor has ultimate significance. Perhaps the child who is very sacred to think of it, in fact, an emotional impulse. There seclusion, only today is an emotional impulse. However, if in the Romantic era, wandering may be reasonable, for example, it may be a reliable way to art; In ancient China, it may be a hermit Queensland will seek social status and reputation of the Zhongnan shortcut.
Third, actions and cultural values
Weber are not satisfied with the experience of social action, but further action from the action deep into the impact of various cultural premise, Religion and ethics in particular. This is the main features of Weber's sociology. Weber's Institute of religion based on the principle of rationalization. religion in its long development process of how to gradually reduce its magic and superstition, have a universal social ethics, and how the impact of this ethical behavior of human experience. Weber studied Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity and Judaism and other world religions, that all religions are designed to save, but their understanding of salvation and rescue different ways.
Weber on religion, the analysis examined the occurrence of the cultural differences between various religions.
1. all religions are founded on the basis of prophetic . Liyan Prophet of God on behalf of those people, who enacted the precepts and dogma, to provide for people's social behavior norms. Weber believes that there are two types of prophets: Ethics and the model of the Prophet the Prophet. ethical prophet to Buda to the people of God , as the ethics of asking people to obey. such as the Jewish prophet. which he can develop a system of religious rules to teach science, pervasive control of the secular life. and a model of the Prophet with a personal example to show others the way of religious salvation. The prophets do not speak the sacred mission and ethical responsibility, but the small man as he exhorted the people the way to seek relief. such as the Buddha. these two prophets have to break the original mystery religions and witchcraft traditions of folk religion, to improve the rational religion the nature of the degree.
Weber believes that the ethical model of the Prophet advocated by the prophets and there are different types of religion: Ethical prophet is usually the opposite with the sacred and the secular establishment of ethical commandments to guide people through the pursuit of ethical practice from the world beyond the external to the kingdom of heaven; and model of the Prophet shows one of the fantasy realm of God, with the virtue of charity and education of people. Their religious ethics based on human and secular opposition, and asking people to re-shame shame to know, the pursuit of living with God beyond the internal integration. In comparison, more Western religions and ethics of the prophets associated generally belong to the religious asceticism; Eastern religion is combined with the model of the Prophet, generally belong to the mystical religion. asceticism is the self as an instrument of God's people in accordance with the will of God, made pious actions; mysticism to see is the owner of a meditative sacred. asceticism busy in the earth in an attempt by the work of secular occupations animal instinct to control things and evil; and escape the world of mysticism is an attempt through meditation and prayer with the sacred. Judaism, Christianity, prophet by virtue of their personal charisma will be outside of God into a secular ethical system, such as Moses the Ten Commandments, climbing the Hadith, and guide people to make abstinence action. This is an intervention the world, secular life in the external action. Eastern religions is to develop a spirit of Salvation, it seeks is empty, the general public can not be achieved.
obvious WTO Confucian rationalism. rule the world, is the accession to the WTO. without a word bizarre is rationalism. but not completely, as Confucius did not deny the supernatural existence; also avoided a transcendent, not to discuss the problem of sin and salvation. this life and beyond the tension between the minimum. In Weber, the meaning of Confucianism, not so much a religion as it is ethical, ritual system and the practical The combination of experience.
2. Weber as the absolute ethical religious ethics, the ultimate characterization of the value of religion. It is to judge performance in the first one or the other, to have on the whole, or nothing. climbers Words and Gospel ethical requirements, a person must be all the saints in every matter, at least in the faith is true. the absolute value of ethics tend to have a birth. So how on earth does this ethical
applied to all ethical action orientation, can be divided into two categories: ethical responsibility ethics and beliefs. these two criteria are fundamentally opposed. belief ethical ideas, all acts of ethical values is the mood of actors, intentions, beliefs and values, it makes reason to deny the actors responsible for the consequences, but will shirk their responsibilities to God and God allows evil. responsibility for ethics is that ethical behavior of the value of a person is only the consequences of acts, actors, meaning it requires no standing nearby, to the consequences responsibility. The former is the value determined subjectively, the actors in order to maintain the purity of faith as a duty; the latter requires consideration to the potential degree of choice. as the ethical guidelines for practical action, responsibility ethics associated with this side of sexuality; interlinked with the other side of ethical beliefs. stronger ethics of responsibility, the more reasonable requirements of the purpose of fully understanding, which is a WTO ethics; belief that only God is responsible for ethics, the criteria of good and evil on the subjective beliefs, intentions , where a is the action consistent with good faith, or evil.
the different ethical behavior and the salvation of different ways to combine social action can be distinguished four types: ethics of responsibility and action combine this side of , is a tool of rationality; the ethics of responsibility and action to the other side of the combine, is a traditional action; the belief that ethics and on this side of the combination of value rationality; the belief that ethics and the other side of the combination of emotional action. It Webber Kun from the cultural point of view of social action to be interpretation.
3. Weber acknowledged that the economic life of options for action for people to have a decisive impact, but he was opposed to economic determinism, and argue that multiple determinism. Culture , in particular, a person's values and ethics, not a simple reflection of material conditions. ideas and ideals on people's behavior and social structure imposed by a limited but independent of. This is considered a powerful Marxist theory Weber amendment.
Weber is the most influential of the Protestant work ethic in a capitalist system, the process of formation and development has played a strong role in promoting. He found that both the Protestant ethic, including a reasonable way of life. Protestant emphasized self-denial hard to avoid idleness and indulgence pleasure, and the development of capitalism in order to seek to restrict spending to expand production, which Weber believes that requirements in the Protestant ethic and the capitalist mode of economic motivation for the existence of ;. Weber said was causality. when we discuss the relationship between traditional culture and modernization issues often fall into this myth when. If for Weber's view to look at the development of Chinese traditional culture model of modernization, in fact, is based on a misunderstanding of Weber's theory basis.
V. Weber
social structure does not recognize the individual action than a social fact, but that does not mean that the social structure in his sight. However, the analysis of social structure is based on the analysis of social action based on. In his view, social relations and social structure can only grasp as the possibility of social action, such as economic class, wealth is owned by a decision have the same life chances a class of people, but a legitimate social order is based on people's recognition of this order on the basis of.
1. Weber, social stratification theory is the basic theory of social organization. On this issue he basically consistent with Marx that the economy is an important basis for social stratification, social class is one that changes in the economic life of people of the same. but he believes that, in addition to economic fundamentals, but also the reputation and political status can be based on stratification. position is not a simple reflection of economic conditions, it has its own independent significance. a status group is often caused by a common values and habits, as well as with other status groups, a combination between the sense of distance. This view There is some truth. We note that some of the upstarts of conspicuous consumption is a manifestation of the pursuit of superior position. In addition, political power is a basis for stratification. It is closely linked to economic and status, but there are differences. < br> 2. authority types and forms of social organization. individual social action constitute the basic social structure of materials, from the rising level of social relations to the political economy of social order. The concept of social order, Weber analyzes the legality of economic, political and religious basis of the system. In his view, a legitimate social order not based on personal habits or the basis of self-interest, but on the social order in people's internal code of rules accepted as a valid basis, these rules are the basis of the law. Any order is established based on the structure of authority, or reflect an authoritative structure. according to the classification of social action, Weber distinguished four kinds of authority structures: traditional authority and appeal authority, legal authority, and Mixed authority.
rely on traditional authority and the sanctity of the traditional authority of the legitimate status of the implementation, which developed from family relationships. Weber distinguishes three different types of authority: the elderly rule, patriarchal and patrimonial system . feudal autocratic authority that such a form.
appeal to the authority of leaders based on charisma. gift. appeal authority is different from the traditional authority, but also different from the reasonable and legitimate authority, it is built on the basis of the cult followers. For example, some political leaders have the authority to appeal the characteristics of authority: his cleverness, he abilities virtue of his birth is not even deified, in fact, such an authority is effective at some point. Another example is the great qigong masters, but also has appeal authority. their authority more on on the basis of their power.
legitimate authority that rules enacted to comply with the formal basis of the authority. It is a non-personal way to rule. A person has the authority not from his strength of character, but often Because of his social position occupied dictates. Some people tend to sigh in Huanhaichenfu inconstancy of human relationships, during the reign of Xuan He momentum, losing ground when the doors to cold, such as Li Yuan-hung. In fact, this is a legitimate phenomenon. He lamented the reason why it is misunderstood but because his authority.
mixed authority. the authority of these three types are ideal types, in real life would not be any kind of authority that simple. In fact, the real authority is often mixed, both to establish on the basis of legality, while the rich personal charisma, but also closely linked with the tradition. In China, a successful political leaders of several factors that need to be mobilized.
3. bureaucracy. with the establishment of a large family and interpersonal relationships than on traditional forms of management, the modern bureaucracy is to develop the most effective so far, most systems, the most promising form of social organization. it reflects the advanced tools reasonable. The biggest advantage of bureaucracy is its impersonality of social relations, the operation of the system and reasonable division of labor. bureaucratic rationality lies in its focus on technical efficiency rather than of need or ultimate value. In this case, the goal of the organization, or its routine functions, will hinder the satisfaction of human needs, and thus morally, it has its irrational side.