Max Weber's theory of action : an examination of its interpretation and extension by Parsons and Schutz
Weber's contribution to the study of social action has been a major influence upon the development of modern sociology but aspects of his approach have been obscured by the process of translation, commentary and evaluation - and in this respect the work of Parsons and to a lesser extent Schutz has been significant. Hence this study aims (a) to clarify the nature of Webens Theory of Action and (b) to determine its contemporary value in comparison with the extension of his ideas by Parsons and Schutz. We examine the interpretation, advanced particularly by Parsons, that Weber's approach to the study of action changed as he became increasingly concerned with the nature of sociological inquiry, and, thereby, moved beyond the problems of historical method. On the basis of a detailed examination of Weber's theoretical and methodological arguments we reject the idea of a break in his thinking about historical and sociological research and this has important implications for some accepted views-on Weber's conception of objectivity, ideal type concepts and understanding. Parsons set out to extend Weber from the perspective of a natural science of society, but his claim to identify a convergence between Durkheim, Pareto
Butts, Stewart
Parsons, Talcott, 1902- ; Weber, Max, 1864-1920 ; Schutz, Alfred, 1899-1959 ; Social sciences Philosophy
Max Weber's theory of action : an examination of its interpretation and extension by Parsons and Schutz. Weber's contribution to the study of social action has been a major influence upon the development of modern sociology but aspects of his approach have been obscured by the process of translation, commentary and evaluation - and in this respect the work of Parsons and to a lesser extent Schutz has been significant. Hence this study aims (a) to clarify the nature of Webens Theory of Action and (b) to determine its contemporary value in comparison with the extension of his ideas by Parsons and Schutz. We examine the interpretation, advanced particularly by Parsons, that Weber's approach to the study of action changed as he became increasingly concerned with the nature of sociological inquiry, and, thereby, moved beyond the problems of historical method. On the basis of a detailed examination of Weber's theoretical and methodological arguments we reject the idea of a break in his thinking about historical and sociological research and this has important implications for some accepted views-on Weber's conception of objectivity, ideal type concepts and understanding. Parsons set out to extend Weber from the perspective of a natural science of society, but his claim to identify a convergence between Durkheim, Pareto
max_weber theory action examination interpretation extension weber study social_action major influence_upon development modern sociology aspect obscure process translation_commentary evaluation respect work less_extent significant hence study aim_clarify nature theory action determine contemporary value comparison extension idea examine interpretation advance particularly weber study action change become_increasingly concerned_nature sociological inquiry thereby move_beyond problem historical method basis detailed_examination weber theoretical_methodological argument reject_idea break think historical_sociological important_implication accept views weber conception objectivity ideal_type concept understand set extend weber perspective natural_science society claim identify convergence