Available From UC Press

Max Weber's Vision of History: Ethics and Methods delves into the unfinished intellectual pursuits and theoretical frameworks of one of sociology’s most influential figures, Max Weber. Written by Guenther Roth and Wolfgang Schluchter, this collection of essays explores the ethical underpinnings, methodological intricacies, and historical applications of Weber’s work. The book places particular emphasis on two underexamined dimensions of Weber's legacy: his vision for the interplay between science, politics, and religion in a rationalized world, and the methodological structures that underpin his substantive historical analyses.

The essays investigate the philosophical and sociological dimensions of Weber's thought, such as his notions of rationalization, the ethic of responsibility, and the sociological relevance of religion. Schluchter’s contributions, for instance, dissect Weber's seminal works on the sociology of religion and his essays on economic ethics, offering a systematic analysis of his ethical worldview. Roth complements this by addressing Weber's historical methodology, focusing on his use of models and developmental theories, and extending Weber’s ideas to contemporary issues, such as the counterculture movements of the 20th century. Together, these essays provide an intricate view of Weber’s theoretical framework, illuminating its relevance to both historical inquiry and the challenges of modernity.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1979.