Mudabicara.com_ Max Weber is one of the figures of modern sociology who has an important role in the development of social sciences, especially sociology.
In addition, Max Weber also had various influences through his monumental works, which are still being discussed by scientists today.
So, if you want to find out more about who Max Weber is and what are his contributions to science in the modern era. Please read the following review of the mudabicara article.
Read Also : Get to know Max Weber's Theory of Social Action
A Glimpse of Sociological Figures Max Weber
Ma Ximilian Weber was a German sociologist and political economist. Max Weber’s first name was Karl Emil Maximilian Weber.
In the course of his life, this great figure in Germany later became one of the pioneers of modern sociology and state administration.
Although in his various works Weber also paid attention to the field of economics, works related to sociology, especially the sociology of religion, had a greater influence in catapulting his name.
For example, the most phenomenal work is an essay entitled Protestant Ethics and the Spirit of Capitalism which is able to contribute to the foundation of research in the development of the sociology of religion.
Max Weber’s perspective on religion is one of the main factors in the differences in views between Western and Eastern cultures in viewing religion.
Read Also : Understanding Protestant Ethics and the Spirit of Capitalism by Max Weber
In addition, in another well-known work entitled Politics as a Vocation , Weber defines the state as an institution that has a monopoly on the lawful use of physical force.
This definition then became the basis as well as an important reference for social scientists in the study of modern western political science at that time.
Max Weber’s Life Journey
Max Weber was born in Erfurt, Germany on April 21, 1864 and died in Munich Germany on June 14, 1920, at the age of 56.
His father was a bureaucrat who occupied a strategic position in government while his mother was a devout Calvinist. From the background of his parents, of course, Weber can be said to come from the middle and upper middle class.
Max Weber’s education began at the University of Heidelberg by studying various scientific studies including philosophy, economics, history and law.
As someone who has academic abilities, Weber is also able to adapt and develop so quickly in the learning process.
Three years after studying at the University of Heidelberg, Weber continued his doctoral studies at the University of Berlin and eventually became a lecturer at the University of Berlin.
Apart from being a lecturer, Weber also studied various disciplines including economics, history and sociology.
Read Also : Get to know Max Weber's Theory of Sociology of Religion
Thanks to his perseverance and exemplary learning in 1896 Max Weber earned a professorship in economics at the University of Heidelberg.
On the other hand, Max Weber is also a figure who is also famous as the founder of the German Sociological Society (1910).
Even his house became a place of discussion for intellectuals such as George Simmel, Robert Michels and George Lucas.
Not only that, Weber himself was also politically active and wrote many essays on a number of issues of his time.
Thoughts and Work of Max Weber
Max Weber’s most phenomenal thoughts are his writings related to sociology.
His contribution to sociology can be seen in various works such as Basic Sociological Terms, Objectivity in Social Science, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism , and The Types of Legitimate Domination .
1. Basic Sociological Terms
In Basic Sociological Terms , Weber discusses the focus of sociological studies related to the theory of social action.
Max Weber assessed that social action every individual action addressed to individuals, or other groups has a subjective meaning.
Therefore, the main goal of sociology according to Weber is to understand in depth ( verstehen ) the subjective meaning of social actions carried out by these individuals .
Weber divided social action into four types. The first type is rational-instrumental ( zweckrational ), referring to actions based on the actor’s rationality in order to achieve certain goals, such as economic transactions.
Read Also : Getting to Know Auguste Comte's Three Stage Law Theory
The second type is about rational values ( wertrational ), referring to actions based on belief in certain values, such as praying together based on religious values.
The third type, affection, refers to actions that are based on an individual’s feelings, such as crying at a funeral.
And the last type is traditional, referring to actions that are based on tradition, or in other words, have been carried out repeatedly since ancient times , such as going home.
2. Objectivity in Social Science
Max Weber’s thoughts on Sociology were not only limited to social action, but also discussed the ideal types listed in one of his works entitled Objectivity in Social Science (1904).
In the work Objectivity in Social Science , Weber coined a concept called the ideal type.
The ideal type is a process of capturing the essential characteristics of a phenomenon in order to keep scientists objective and measurable.
Therefore, Weber distinguishes between the ideal type and the social reality that exists in the field. For example , a sociologist might state that the use of religious attributes by individuals is a form of value-rational social action, because such action is based on religious values.
Read also: Get to know Hans Georg Gadamer's Hermeneutic Theory
But in reality, the use of religious attributes must involve other external factors such as emotional and traditional factors.
The explanation above shows that the ideal type can only be used to explain one specific aspect of a phenomenon.
And a social scientist must be able to explain in detail why he or she chooses to use the ideal type as the analytical knife.
3. The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism
In The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism (1904–1905) . In The Protestant Ethic , Weber tries to see the relationship between religious doctrine and the spirit of capitalism.
The statistical data that Weber managed to collect showed that the majority of capital owners, company leaders, and skilled workers in Germany during Weber’s time were followers of Protestant Christianity.
Weber continued his steps by conducting an investigation and found that one of the branches of Protestant Christianity, namely Calvinism, had a doctrine that was compatible with the spirit of capitalism.
According to Weber, the doctrine of Calvinism brought by Richard Baxter, John Calvin’s successor, was laden with a “worldly ethos” that encouraged its adherents to work and accumulate as much wealth as possible.
Read also: Get to know the work of Auguste Comte: Course of Positive Philosophy
The doctrine of Calvinism teaches that economic activity is a form of service to God. In addition, the doctrine of Calvinism also stated that the wealth of an individual signifies God’s love for that individual.
This is what causes followers of the Calvinist teachings to compete to accumulate wealth, to prove God’s love for him.
Through The Protestant Ethic , Weber stated that apart from the desire to be rich and technological developments, internal motivation derived from certain values (in this case, religion) also played a role in developing the spirit of capitalism.
4. The Types of Legitimate Domination
It doesn’t just stop at the works mentioned above. Weber also expressed other thoughts in his work entitled The Types of Legitimate Domination (1914).
In The Types of Legitimate Domination , in this work Weber discusses the three bases of a leader’s legitimacy: rational, traditional, and charismatic.
The basis of rational legitimacy refers to a set of legal rules that have been agreed upon, such as the general election law that regulates the election of presidents, governors, and members of the assembly.
The basis of traditional legitimacy refers to belief in tradition, such as the tradition of selecting tribal chiefs based on lineage.
The last basis of legitimacy, charismatic, refers to holiness, heroism, or other characteristics that make an individual crowned as a leader, for example, such as prophets and religious leaders.
Read Also: Getting to Know the Work of Auguste Comte System of Positive Politics
Furthermore, Weber discussed the characteristics of groups led by each leader, with different legitimacy bases.
In a group led by a leader on the basis of rational legitimacy, both group members and group leaders are required to comply with applicable law.
The relationship between the leader and group members is impersonal.
That is, group members are only required to obey the leader, as long as these members have duties, or obligations regulated by law. The rest, group members are seen as independent individuals.
In groups led by leaders with a traditional legitimacy basis, group members are the “subordinates” or “subjects” of the group leader.
The relationship between members and group leaders is based on the loyalty of the members to their leaders.
Read Also : 10 Benefits of Studying Sociology for Young People
Finally, in a group led by a leader with a charismatic legitimacy basis, group members (followers) give their whole body and soul to the leader.
In general, rulers or leaders are considered to be messengers of God, or individuals with supernatural powers.
That’s all about the inspirational figure of Max Weber this time, see you in the next review. Enjoy reading!