Although Max Weber can not be called the "father of sociology", however, he was one of the founders of it as a science, and the subject philosophically justified.Since sociology deals with the generalization, generalization of facts and actions made by people, that it requires certain models and types, which are classified these generalizations.So it turns out the ideal types, ie generalizations that produce some signs peculiar to members of the group, as the characteristics of this group.However, the "understanding sociology" Max Weber joined these types with the concept of social action.
Philosopher was confident that under the concept of social action fall meaningful and conscious actions of men, made with regard to the conduct of others.Therefore, the task of the scientist, sociologist - to understand and express the meaning of such an action.Thus was born the "understanding sociology" Weber.However, the kinds and types of actions may be different, as well as methods for their understanding.The scientist shared the views of the four categories.They differ by how rational and sensible is this action.
least rational is this type of affective action, although it does not lose its sociality.It is not meaningless, but the meaning of this is often not recognized by the man himself, as the latter operates mainly under the influence of feelings and emotions.Similarly, it is the traditional type where people are, because I used to have opened, too, and do not always understand the meaning of his actions, even though he is in them, of course, present."Interpretive sociology" Weber believes both of these types of actions conditionally social as social scientists can understand the meaning of these actions, and the individuals themselves - not always.
differ from the above two types of value-rational and goal-oriented rational action.The first is generated by conscious human faith in the fact that certain behaviors carry the values created by God to meet ethical standards or canons of aesthetics."Interpretive sociology" Max Weber describes this type of behavior as rational, but rationality is relative.That is, a person behaves in one way or another, because he feels that he must do it, because this is required by his beliefs or his notion of human dignity, or, finally, because he believes it is beautiful.However, often the norm "should" conduct considered absolute and critical attitude to the source of these rules or the possible side effects are not taken into account.
Finally, the most rational "understanding sociology" Max Weber calls tseleratsionalnoe action.It is clear that people plan their behavior depending on the goals that want to achieve and expect (simulate) the behavior of others, which they expect.Moreover, these objectives are achievable, they may vary depending on the circumstances and other objects or people perceived as conditions, or as a means to achieve these objectives.As the main criterion for such behavior is its success and efficiency, objectives, means and the possible consequences carefully weighed.This kind of behavior is best understood.
Of course, this division of the many varieties of human behavior into four types is only conditional and is done for convenience.It does not reflect the whole diversity of reality and it is necessary to sociologist used to assess and disclose the meaning of social action and logical-conceptual methods and the art of psychological "empathy", getting used to the spiritual world of man, his empathy.Each of these methods or levels of understanding is important in its own way to understand the complex process that we call social life, considered by Max Weber.Sociology, therefore, do not turn away from subjective experiences and beliefs of man and takes into account their impact on his behavior, and the impact of the totality of these experiences and beliefs on the behavior of the group.In addition, the scientist advised not to forget that the sociologists themselves share certain values, driven by feelings and follow certain traditions, that too can not not affect the results of their research.
