Weber's theory of man

From Geography

The sociologist Max Weber (1864) thought of the theory of man. Weber was trying to find a model to understand the complexity and variety of social action. He did this to develope 'ideal types'. Ideal types have the character that they are genetic, represent an individual or historical concept, are timeless and spaceless. Weber's ideal types were bounded to a particular time, place and context. The ideal types are not descriptions and several types of different natures could be apply to the same phenomena. The kind of ideal type depends on the reason why the penomena is been studied. (Johnston, Gregory, Pratt, Watts, 2000)

The theory of man emerge the best in 'the four types of human action'. These four types explanes the actions of human beings. Max Weber uses the idea of ideal types. It is described as follows by Max Weber:

• Goal rational type. Decide what is the best en efficient way to reach the goal. The circumstances of the actions taken and the expected or possible side-effect have to be taken into account. This ideal type is local, economical and scientific. The assumption is not that this type acts totally rational, the actual behaviour can deviate a lot from the rational model.

• Value rational type. This ideal type values the goal of his actions. Also the actions of the actor is pursuing values instead of calculated.

• Affective or emotional action type. The behaviour or actions of this ideal type is drive by the feelings of the actor. This type is direct influenced by emotions and is definitely not acting rational.

• Traditionalist type. The actions of this ideal type is under the prevailing authority. The actor has respect for the authority and bases his behaviour on that. 'The behaviour may not be considered sufficiently conscious to count as intended and hence as genuine action'. (Campbell, 1981)

A combination of these four types of action can composite a picture of the behaviour and the values and beliefs combined to that behaviour of an individual. (Campbell, 1981)

References:

Campbell, T., Seven Theories of Human Society, (Claredon Press, Oxford 1981)

Johnston, R.J., Gregory, D., Pratt, G. Watts, M., The dictionary of Human Geography, ( Blackwell Publishing, Oxford 4th edition 2000)

Published by Meryl Burger (s0801704)