Back to Search
Start Over
Causal understanding: Max Weber and the interpretation of human actions.
- Source :
- Dialogues in Philosophy, Mental & Neuro Sciences; Jun2018, Vol. 11 Issue 1, p36-48, 13p
- Publication Year :
- 2018
-
Abstract
- This paper explores the concept of understanding (Verstehen) in the work of Max Weber. Parts of Weber's writings discussing this issue are here selected and reproduced. It is shown that in his use, the concept of understanding is part of a complex approach that tries to complement the specificities of humanistic disciplines with their exigence of a rigorous scientific approach. Weber conceives understanding as explanatory understanding, i.e the causal interpretation of a third person's action. The model he uses is that of the legal imputation of concrete effects to concrete causes (i.e. motives). According to Weber, understanding is always an hypothetical interpretation that must be confirmed by objective verification. Weber also makes a distinction between direct observational understanding [aktuelles Verstehen] and explanatory understanding [erklarendes Verstehen]. The former directly grasps the subjective meaning of a given act as such, while the latter is understanding of motivations, which consists in placing the act in an intelligible context of meaning. Both can be rational or affectively determined. Moreover, Weber distinguishes between subjective (on the level of meaning) and causal adequacy of the explanation of an action, and both must be present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- HUMAN behavior
HERMENEUTICS
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 20350031
- Volume :
- 11
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Dialogues in Philosophy, Mental & Neuro Sciences
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 131536905