Max Weber’s key concept was rationalization. This refers to the eradication of mystery and emotion from everyday life and their replacement by rational calculation and control. This essay will discuss Weber’s contribution towards sociology in terms of rationalization and his attribution to ‘The Protestant Ethic’. It will introduce Weber’s key approaches, such as social theory, rationalization in regards to modern society, bureaucracy, the ideal type and a contemporary example of rationalization. Furthermore, capitalism will be discussed, in order to depict Weber’s theories in comparison to Marx’s. These key concepts will be discussed to ensure a full overview is given on Weber’s key contributions towards sociology.
Weber was a founding father …show more content…
Rationalization refers to the overall historical process where reality is, ‘increasingly mastered by calculation, scientific knowledge, and rational action’ (Morrison, 2006, p. 285). In contrast, rationality is a term Weber used to refer to ‘the capacity of social action to be subject to calculation, of the means and ends of action by taking up a methodical orientation to reality’ (Morrison, 2006, p. 285). Weber believed the rationalization process was apparent in individual action, in orientations, and also in institutions (Morrison, 2006). It can be seen that Weber’s concept of rationalization refers to two broad trends in historical development (Morrison, 2006). First, social and historical processes have become more reliant on calculation in order to obtain rational control over the natural and social world (Morrison, 2006). An example of this is the development of science, engineering and modern technology (Giddens, 2001). Second, is of human social action to free itself from being dependent on magical thinking in order to rely on what is immediately given without superstition (Morrison, 2006). Weber believed that the concept of Western rationalism would spread disenchantment and instrumental rationality around the world; this was a sociological and historical observation (McLennan et al, 2010). Giddens (2001) depicted that Weber was afraid that modern society would turn into a system and diminish the human spirit through the attempt to regulate the spheres of social life. Weber discovered that the development of rationalization was becoming increasingly common and is potentially harmful to everyday
Weber was a founding father …show more content…
Rationalization refers to the overall historical process where reality is, ‘increasingly mastered by calculation, scientific knowledge, and rational action’ (Morrison, 2006, p. 285). In contrast, rationality is a term Weber used to refer to ‘the capacity of social action to be subject to calculation, of the means and ends of action by taking up a methodical orientation to reality’ (Morrison, 2006, p. 285). Weber believed the rationalization process was apparent in individual action, in orientations, and also in institutions (Morrison, 2006). It can be seen that Weber’s concept of rationalization refers to two broad trends in historical development (Morrison, 2006). First, social and historical processes have become more reliant on calculation in order to obtain rational control over the natural and social world (Morrison, 2006). An example of this is the development of science, engineering and modern technology (Giddens, 2001). Second, is of human social action to free itself from being dependent on magical thinking in order to rely on what is immediately given without superstition (Morrison, 2006). Weber believed that the concept of Western rationalism would spread disenchantment and instrumental rationality around the world; this was a sociological and historical observation (McLennan et al, 2010). Giddens (2001) depicted that Weber was afraid that modern society would turn into a system and diminish the human spirit through the attempt to regulate the spheres of social life. Weber discovered that the development of rationalization was becoming increasingly common and is potentially harmful to everyday