Max Weber's Methodologies: Interpretation and Critique

Acknowledgements.

Introduction.

1. THE CONTEXTS.

German Historicism and the Controversy over Method.

The Post-Enlightenment Anguish of Polytheism.

Neo-Kantianism and Nominalism.

2. THE SHAPING OF WEBER’S CONCEPTUAL TOOLS.

Distinguishing the Natural from the Social Sciences.

Enter "Values" and the Problem of Selection and Value Intrusion.

Rickert: Theoretical and Practical Value-Relation.

Weber: Scientific Value-Relativism.

The Limits of Social Science Concept Formation.

Postscript: Evaluating Rickert's Influence on Weber.

3. AN ANALYSIS OF WEBER'S SOLUTION.

Objectivity, Selection, and Causal Significance.

Rational Understanding.

Weber's Anti-Psychologism.

The Ideal-type.

Conclusion.

4. THREE PARADIGMATIC CONCEPTIONS OF WEBER.

Introduction: A Brief Outline of Weber's Reception.

Talcott Parsons: Weber as a macro-sociologist.

Alfred Schutz: Weber as a ‘Hermeneutic’.

Lazarsfeld and Oberschall: Weber as an empirical social scientist.

5. BEYOND APPROPRIATION. WEBER YESTERDAY AND TODAY.

The Weber-Renaissance as Living Legacy.

Selective and "Creative" Presentism.

Continuing Significance: Weber as Mediator.

Increasing Professionalization and Cohesiveness.

The Dispute about the Centre of Gravity of Weber's Work and Methodology.

Does an Overarching Interpretation Matter?.

Nietzsche, The Disenchantement Thesis and Methodology.

Appendix: The radical solution?: A note on Gunnar Myrdal and the Diffusion of Value-Orientation/Relation.

METHODOLOGICAL APPENDIX.

Recontextualizing Weber at the Crossroads.

Approaching the Classics.

Notes.

Short Biographies.

Glossary.

References.

Index.