From “Value Freedom” to “ Historical Individuality ”:A study on Max Weber' s theories of social science

This thesis begins with the dualism of science and conscience in Imperial Germany since 1870s conceptualized by Georg Simmel .This dualism extends into Leo Strauss' s critique of the impotence of modern social science , which , to Strauss, is typical of Max Weber' s as well as other modern social thoughts .According to Strauss, the rationale of “ value-freedom” not only proves an intrinsic paradox within social sciences but endangers the natural rights of values by founding them on the frail but fantastic selfpersistence of free will.Owing to Strauss' sinsightful critique, the paper anchors the study of Max Weber on his works on social sciences (methodology pieces)and the intense reading and commentaries of Weber' s work reveal that Weber' s thesis on value freedom derives from his conception of the separation of ethic and value spheres.Weber' s emphasis on the frail self-sufficiency of both ethic and values confirms that the primary , in this thesis the first , founding of social sciences must be on a more delicate refutation of evident legitimacy of value hierarchy in a pre-scientific world and thus be on the free form of value ideas. Following Weber' s objections against the naturalist as well spiritualizing (in a Hegelian way)views in social and historical sciences, we further our findings in Weber' s concepts of historical individuality and idealtype to make it more sound that Weber' s theories of social science is indispensable with another founding on the implication of personality.

田耕；

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