Max Weber Ve Değerler Sosyoloji̇si̇: Bi̇r Metodoloji̇k İki̇lemi̇n Düşündürdükleri̇ / Max Weber and Sociology of Values: Reflections on a Methodological Dilemma

Abstract

Sociology as the science of objective truth of social facts emerged in the 19 th century. Its major concern, influenced by the positivist paradigm, was to be scientific through neutrality and impartiality. With its heavy emphasis on "objectivity," values are kept outside of sociological analysis for a long time because of their perceived relationship with personal aspect of reality and subjectivity. It is also possible that this perception built upon the myth of a "value free sociology" has in time diversified, both theoretically and methodologically. This was possible through the debates on objectivism and the "sociological adventure of sociology itself" which gradually advanced the idea that different branches of science can not be unified under one theory. One of the most prominent figures regarding the sociology of values, on the other hand, is Max Weber, who focused on the meaning of the action for the actor and emphasized the need to develop a sociology which attempts to understand the actor's understanding of his social actions. At the same time, Max Wever contends that sociological study should and can be "value-free." However, Weber is an important defender of a sociology that is "indepedent of values" centered around his ideas of "science as vocation" and practice of sociological research. The main reference point of criticisms towards Weber is his subjective evaluations in his own studies that appear rather evident. Therefore, this study is an attempt to read the concept of value through Weber's own sociology, with a focus on sociological possibility and possible contradictions of sociology of values, that has been neglected on the basis of objectivism and which has later gained legitimacy. In other words, this study investigates the sociological dimension of the concept of "value" and how it relates to Weber's position. With this purpose, a reading of capitalism based on Weber's "The Protestant Ethics," that represents a primary example of sociological investigation of "value" will be made.