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THE PROBLEM OF IRRATIONALITY AND MEANING IN THE WORK OF MAX WEBER.
Abstract
The point of this study is to elucidate and expand upon the concept of "irrationality" in the work of Max Weber and, to a lesser extent, in that of Vilfredo Pareto, whose viewpoints are antithetical, but whose goals for social theory were similar. This attempt, to compare two exemplars of classical social theory who are often considered absolutely alien to one another, is carried out through "hermeneutic" interpretation. To the end of determining the utility of hermeneutics to the study of social thought, a lengthy Appendix is provided in which various hermeneutical theories (including those of Ast, Wolf, Schleiermacher, Dilthey, Heidegger, Betti, and Gadamer) are assayed. With propositions drawn from this subordinate study, a detailed analysis is performed upon Weber's writings, which seeks to remain within the boundaries of a proper hermeneutics, to the end of determining Weber's approach to "irrationality" as part of "social action." These results are compared with a more cursory analysis of Pareto's Trattato. Finally, ramifications for contemporary social theory are briefly introduced, with special attention to the changing relationship between "rational action" and "meaning" for "social actors" in contemporary life.
Subject Area
Social research
Recommended Citation
SICA, ALAN MEYER, "THE PROBLEM OF IRRATIONALITY AND MEANING IN THE WORK OF MAX WEBER." (1978). Doctoral Dissertations Available from Proquest. AAI7903839.
https://scholarworks.umass.edu/dissertations/AAI7903839