SOC 1502-01 Introduction to Sociology
Learning Journal Unit 1
Briefly acquaint yourself with the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
entry about Max Weber
Afterward, read a couple of pages from these excerpts from On Poli-
tics by Max Weber.
Max Webber was a German sociologist born in 1864. He died in 1920. His
father, a lawyer, and his mother, an academician, both played a pivotal role in
exposing him to the political, social and cultural aspects of society and what
turned out to be his future success. His brother, also a sociologist, assisted in
laying a good foundation for Max and he went on to become one of the most
successful people in sociology.
Like Karl Marx, Max Weber also had his views on the different classes in
society. However, whilst Marx argued that class is determined by economic fac-
tors alone, Weber believes that social stratification cannot be defined solely in
terms of class. He thought social change was brought by culture, and not
within the economic structure. There is a demand and pressure from the
higher-class population for the lower-class to complete work, and Weber
wanted to change this.
Weber’s main contribution to society was rationalisation. As per Sociol-
ogy Group, rationalisation “is a process through which emotional actions and
thoughts are explained and justified by logic and rational thinking by facts”
(2019). Weber refers to the process by which modern society is becoming con-
cerned with efficiency, predictability, calculability and technological advance-
ment. Following on from this, it led to behaviours and resolutions by reason
and practicality and not customs and traditions. To this day, rationalisation has
continued to transform society.
Word count - 233 words
Reference:
Sociology Group. (2019, January 12). Rationalization – Meaning, Types and Rationalization of So-
ciety. Sociology Group: Sociology and Other Social Sciences Blog. https://www.sociologygroup.-
com/rationaliztion-meaning/
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