The Contributions by Max Weber (1864-1920) to the field of sociology were of great importance and have led many authors to classify him as one of the great institutionalizers of sociology .
His work helped make sociology go from being an exotic product academically to becoming a legitimized discipline at the university level.
Max Weber, 1864 - 1920
By the type of contributions that Weber made with his works of sociology, he is considered a representative of the"third ways".
The third ways are political approaches that are neither Marxist nor anti-Marxist. This characteristic of his work led Weber to be one of the most influential sociologists in history.
Weber's work has had a great impact on the subsequent development of different sociological issues.
These include religion, education, law, organization, family and even ethno-sociology.
Theoretical literature on sociology
The most important contributions that Weber made were the theoretical development of sociology in his book"Economy and Society".
According to several scholars of this discipline, this book is the most representative of sociology of the twentieth century.
Weber also published other books that are key in teaching any academic sociology program.
Among these books are:" Protestant Ethics and the Spirit of Capitalism "," Sociology of Religion "Y" The Methodology of the Social Sciences " .
Rationalism in sociology
Weber, in his account of human relations and the meaning of the world and history, makes a distinction between the old interpretive conception and his explanation of the empirically rational world.
Accordingly, Weber developed concrete concepts for historical interpretation. These concepts contained, in addition to empirical knowledge, a rational interpretation.
It was for this reason that Weber's theories differed from traditionally metaphysical interpretations.
Contributions to the policy
Many of Weber's contributions to sociology were in the field of politics.
According to Weber, the greatest political value was in the national state which generated several criticisms later.
In several of his political ideas Weber was identified as a continuador of the thought of Machiavelli.
These ideas were not well received by European sociologists, but they led to important debates that led to the further development of political sociology at the global level.
Sociology in religion
One of Weber's most recognized contributions to sociology is his work on sociology in religion.
His studies in the field led to the publication of his work" Sociology of religion ".
Some writers close to religious sociology have come to call Weber a"Christian sociologist".
This, based on Weber's work in this field and his respect for religiosity.
The above occurs despite Weber expressly saying that he does not have much affinity with religious thought.
Influence on current Sociology
The contributions that Weber made to sociology from its scientific knowledge continue to have wide reception for the development of modern sociological theories.
This is mainly explained by the confrontation that, without directly proposing it, Weber's theories maintained with the old sociological tradition.
It was this characteristic of his thinking that defined him as representative of the"third ways".
References
- Agulla J. C. Max Weber and the Sociology of today. Mexican Journal of Sociology . 1964; 26 (1): 1-9.
- Espinosa E. L. The Sociology of the 20th Century. Spanish Journal of Sociological Research . 2001; 96 : 21-49.
- Glejdura S. Review: The centenary of Max Weber. Public Review of Public Opinion . 1965; 1: 305-307.
- Sharlin A. Retrospective: Max Weber. The Journal of Modern History . 1977; 49 (1): 110-115.
- Swatos W. Kivisto P. Max Weber as"Christian Sociologist." Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion . 1991; 30 (4): 347-362.