ISSN:
1572-8587
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Philosophy
,
Nature of Science, Research, Systems of Higher Education, Museum Science
Notes:
Summary The paper's aim is to contribute to a better understanding of Weber's methodology by clarifying the difference of Weber's concept ofVerstehen from Dilthey's concept ofVerstehen, and by answering the question of how Weber's claim to objectivity of hisVerstehende Soziologie is compatible with his claim that the specific method of hisVerstehende Soziologie, the idealtypical construction, is empirically irrefutable. My thesis is that there are three classes of ideal types in Weber: concepts of ‚historical individuals‘, concepts of ‚objective possibilities‘ and idealtypical classifying concepts. Common to them is the end to grasp the individual character of a social phenomenon. Their different functions in realizing this end justify to describe Weber'sVerstehende Soziologie as a system, in which social phenomena are presented as if they were the result of conscious human decisions.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01801185
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