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Soci 210 - Classical Theory > Exam 3 > Flashcards

Exam 3 Flashcards

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1
Q

How did Weber’s Morality differ from Marx’s materialism?

A

Materialism = material conditions are the driving force in social change

Weber = Ideas, values, morality have independent effects on shaping society (ALONG with material conditions)

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2
Q

What did Weber focus on to explain shaping social behaviours?

A

Value Orientations

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3
Q

What is Rational Social action?

A
  • social action is meaningful and purpose-driven.
  • individuals act based on their interpretations of situations
  • unlike HUMAN BEHAVIOUR, social action is based on interpretation of the social contexts..
    – it involves judgements about the situation
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4
Q

What were 2 main transformation of German society that lead Weber to think of rationalization?

A
  • Capitalism
    – industrialization + capitalism = rapid transformation
  • Rise of bureaucratic institutions
    – especially in the context of modern business and governance.
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5
Q

What was Weber’s concern with Modernity?

A
  • focused on how rationalization leads to disenchantment of the world…
    – this erodes traditional meanings and values
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6
Q

Weber saw capitalism as shaping ________________, but feared its effects on human freedom and individuality (the iron cage)

A

rational action

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7
Q

what is the iron cage?

A

the dehumanizing effects of modernity and rationalization,

particularly in the context of bureaucracy and capitalism.

It refers to the way in which rationalization—the increasing reliance on calculations, rules, and efficiency—limits human freedom and creativity.

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8
Q

How did Weber diverge from Marx’s focus on the material conditions and economic class as central drivers of social change?

A

Weber argued ideas and values * also had independent effects on history.. especailly in the development of capitalism

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9
Q

Marx thought that material facotrs (e.g., class struggle, economic systems) shape society…

What did weber think shaped society?

A

weber thought that ideas, values, and meaning shaped social action and historical development

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10
Q

What did Weber think that social life was an interaction between?

A

material conditions and ideational factors (values, culture)

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11
Q

Who were the neo-kantians?

A

a philosophical movement influenced by Immanuel Kant, emphazing knowledge, and meaning as constructed by individuals

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12
Q

What was Scientific ways of knowing and Interpretive ways of knowing?

A
  • scientific: objective, based on empirical observation, causal explanation
  • interpretive: fofused on understanding human behaviour through subjective meaning (verstehen) and individual interpretations
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13
Q

How did Windelband influence Weber?

A

influenced his views on the methodology of the soical sciences.

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14
Q

What did Windelband argue regarding objective knowledge?

A

that objective knowledge is not just about facts, but about understanding how humans interpret and assign meaning to those facts…

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15
Q

How did Windelband distingusih betwen the natural sciences and the social sciences?

A

natural sciences = the study of causal relationships (e.g., physical laws)

social sciences = concerned with meaningful human action and the interpretation of social phenomenon

.

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16
Q

What is the inductive method?

which form of science has it?

A

it starts with observations and building theories from those observations..

its more common in the natural scienes

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17
Q

what is the deductive method?

what type of science is it used in?

A

it starts with theories or hypotheses and tests them against data..

common in the social sciences

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18
Q

What is Nomothetic vs Ideographic Inquiry?

(Windelband)

A

Nomothetic = focused on general laws or principles that apply across cases
– typical in the natural sciences

Ideographic = focus on understanding indivieual cases or specific contexts
– employed in social sciences

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19
Q

What was Rickert’s unqiue contibution?

A

focused on the distinction between natural and social sciences

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20
Q

What subject matter are the natural sciences concerned with?

A
  • concerned with facts and objective reality

(e.g., physical laws)

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21
Q

what subject matter are the social sciences concerned with?

A

values, meanings, and interpretations of human actions and societal structures

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22
Q

Why cant social sciences be value-neutral?

A

because they involve judgements (which are inherantly value laden processes of understanding)

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23
Q

Why are judgements key parts of social sciences?

A

because they require an undersanding of how individuals interpret and assign meaning to their actions and the social world..

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24
Q

What is Concept Formation according to Rickert?

A

social sciences require concepts that reflect the complexity and subjectivity of human experiences

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25
What are value orientations (Rickhert)
- things that shape how individuals act in society - e.g., religious beleifs and ethical principles - these orientations impact social action and the development of societal structures
26
What do value orientations impact?
- social action - the development of social structures
27
What was the methodenstreit? who did it involve
- a methological dispute - between the positivists and the interpretivists
28
What did the positivists argue in the methodenstreit?
that methodology should be objective and causal.
29
what did the interpretivists argue in the methodenstreit?
they emphasized understanding the meanings of phenomeon
30
What was Weber's stance on the methodenstreit?
- sociology must be scientific.. - it should also consider the meaning behind human actions (verstehen)
31
What did Weber mean by value relevance?
- sociologists should aknowledge their own values and interests, byt they should not distort their research
32
what did weber mean by value neutrality?
that sociologists should strive to be objective in their research, keeping personal values separate from their analysis of social facts
33
What are Ideal Types? (Weber)
- A methodological tool Abstract categories or conceptual models used to compare and analyze social phenomeon - they are not accurate depictions of the social world, but rather exaggerated models that allow sociologists to compare and contrast the real world - provide simplified versions of reality tht highlight key features of social phenomena. 2 examples = bureaucracy and capitalism..
34
What are Historical Ideal Types?
these reflect specific historical situations or events e.g., - feudalism - capitalism - fascism
35
what are general ideal types?
these are more abstract and can be applied across different contexts - represent essentail characteristics of a social phenomeon. - analytic tools to understand & compare - goal = create a conceputal standard that captures the core of a social phenomenon. = even if that social phenomeon does not exist in reality = a pure conceputal model = they are static and serve as measuring sticks to compare actual phenomeon - dont necessarilyfocus on historical development or chagne over time
36
Describe how bureaucracy and capitalism are ideal types
- they are not meant to describe every possible instance of bureaucracy or capitalism.. - they are instead a general or typical form that allows for meaningful comparisons and analysis.
37
What types of realities does an ideal type capture?
- general realities - particular realities.
38
how do ideal types bridge the gap between general and particular realities in social research?
= social phenomenon can be studied through generalized models.. - BUT its essential to maintain awareness of the unique historical and cultrual contexts in which those phenomeon occurs.
39
How does an ideal type clarify our social reality which is infinitely complex?
it makes it objective, reliable study possible..
40
What allows for a comparison between common characteristics of societies, events and actions?
ideal types
41
feudal socieites in France, Germany and England all looked different... what is a solution to measuring them?
construct an ideal type of feudal society.. - ruled by lord - rural economy, absense of urban centers - traditional forms of dominatino - religious based laws this allows comparison of actual feudal societies against the general model
42
What type of "Ideal type" is used to study social change?
developmental ideal types
43
what are some different things that developmetnal ideal types allow us to study?
- technology - religion - population growth - shifts in solidarity (helps us understand broader patterns of transformation) - how certain things evolve over time
44
Define: Verstehen
webers concept of understanding the subjective meaning behind human actions
45
Verstehen focuses on the _____________ aspect of social behaviour, trying to understand how individuals _____________ and make sense of their worlds
interpretive, experience
46
What is social action?
- refers to actions that individual take based on their understanding or interpretation of a particular situation, context, or social environment. - based on meaningful judgements - shaped by values, beliefs, and goals
47
Not all actions are meaningful or value driven in "human behaviour" it can be accidental, involutary, or unconscious.. not necessarily motivated by interpretations or values.. that is why it differs from ______________
social action
48
Verstehen is the key to understanding __________
social action
49
What are 4 kinds of social action?
1. Traditional Action 2. Affective (emotional) action 3. Value-Rational Action 4. Instrumental Rational Action
50
what is traditional action?
- driven by habit and custom - routine actions without much reflection or goal setting (e.g., brushing teeth)
51
what is Affective (emotional) action?
- motivated by emotions (love, rage) - lacks rational calculation or long term goals
52
What is Value-Rational Action?
- Driven by values (e.g., religious duty, loyalty) - Action is goal oriented, but the goal is based on values rather than calculating *means at ends*
53
What is instrumental rational action?
- Highly calculated and stategic - focus on means-ends calculation and efficiency in achieving specific goals -e.g., pregnancy planning.
54
Define Rationalization according to weber
the process by which traditional and value based ways of thinking are replaced by systematically calculated, efficiency-drieven and rule based methods of organization - defining feature of modernity
55
What is the loss of meaning, mystery, and. magic in the world due to increasing rationalization called?
Disenchantment
56
Weber argued that disenchangment happens in modern society because traditional and religious explanations are replaced by _________ and _______________
scientific reasoning and bureaucratic structures
57
What is an example of disenchantment?
instead of seeing illness as caused by supernatural forces, people turn to medical science for explanations
58
What is the difference between rationality and rationalization?
rationality = the ability to reason and make logical decisions.. Rationalization = the process where society organizes itself based on efficiency, predictability and at control -- often at the expense of individual autonomy and creativity
59
what does rationalization lead to?
bueaucracies, legal rational authority and instrumental thinking
60
There are 4 types of rational social action in Weber Typology of Rationality
1. Practical Rationality 2. Theoretical Rationality 3. Formal Rationality 4. Substantive Rationality
61
Rational Social Action (Webers Typology of Rationality) What is: Practical rationality?
- everyday problem solving based on cost-benefit calculations e.g., choosing a cheaper brand of groceries to save money
62
Rational Social Action (Webers Typology of Rationality) What is: Theoretical Rationality
- Logical and conceptual thinking to understand the world e.g., a scientist developing a theory to explain climate change
63
Rational Social Action (Webers Typology of Rationality) What is: Formal Reality
- Decision making based on established rules, laws and regulations e.g., bureaucracies running based on procedural guidelines
64
Rational Social Action (Webers Typology of Rationality) What is: Substantive Rationality
decision making based on values, ethics or beliefs rather than efficiency e.g., a company choosing to pay fair wages even if it reduces profits.
65
What is the difference between General and Historical Ideal Typical Rational action??
General Ideal type = abstract models that help analyze rational action across different societies. Histoical ideal types: specific to a time and place, used to analyze unique historical developments (e.g., Protestantism shaped capitalism)
66
What is the difference between a game contest and a sport?
game contest = informal, spontaneious, rule flexible activities. e.g., children playing soccer in the park Sport = formalized, regulated, and organized with institutions and rulebooks. e.g., FIFA-regualted soccer matches
67
Tradtional game contests were often violence (e.g, medieval jousting).. what led to structured rules limiting violence like penalties in soccer
Rationalization
68
What is the General Ideal Type applied to game contexts?
Abstract model of structured, regualted competition
69
What is Historical ideal types related to game contests?
specific forms of organized sports at different historical moments (e.g., how British colonialism spread cricket)
70
What is the protestant ethic?
- work hard - live frugally - reinvest earnings rather than living in luxury
71
What sort of belief is the protestant ethic rooted in?
Calvinist -beliefs about salvation and duty to god
72
What is the spirit of capitalism?
- a mindset valuign hard work, efficiency and accumulation of wealth
73
is the spirit of cpaitalism just about greed?
no, its about discipline and rational investment
74
What is Calvinism?
- its a branch of protestantism - the idea that god has already determined who is saved and who is damned - leads to anxiety - people seek "signs" of salvation -- hard work and accumulation of wealth are seen as signs of gods favor.
75
What is religious or otherworldly Asceticism?
- rejects material world. - focuses on spirituality - e.g., monks
76
what is ecnomic (or this-worldly) asceticism?
engages in economic activity but avoids indulgence, leading to capitalist accumulation
77
What is the iron cage
- Bureaucratic rationalization traps individuals in rigid, rule based systems - People follow procedures without questioning them, leading to dehumanization
78
How is Rationalization Irrational?
- systems meant to increase efficiency often lead to inefficiency (e.g., execcsive paperwork in bureaucracies) - e.g., university admin keeps on expanding with more rules and it makes it harder for students and professors to get what they need
79
Marx thought that class was determined soley by economic positions (owners vs. workers) what did Weber think?
weber thought that class is based on *MARKET SITUATION* (economic opportunities) + *STATUS SITUATION* (social prestige) + * POWER* (political influence)
80
what are Market situations?
class differences emerge based on access to economic resources and market advantages (e.g., doctors vs. factory workers)
81
what are status groups?
- they are defined by social honour, lifestyle and exclusively rather than just economic positon - e.g., celebrities might not be the wealthiest but hold high social status
82
Define power
the ability to impose one's will, even against resistance
83
define domination / authority
powe that is recognized as legitimate by those who follow it
84
what are Weber's 3 types of legitimate authority?
1. Charismatic Authority 2. Traditional authority 3. Rational- Legal Authority
85
What is charismatic authority?
- based on perssonal qualities, emotinoal connection. - unstable, often arises in crisis - e.g., Jesus, Ghandi
86
What is traditional authority?
- based on customs, heritage, and long standing practices - e.g., monarchies, tribal leadership
87
what is Rational-Legal Authority?
- based on written rules and laws, not personal characteristics - e.g., modern governments and bureaucracies
88
What is the key defintion of bureaucratization?
- the organization of society into structured, rule-governed institutions
89
What are some key features of bureaucratization?
- hierarchy of offices - formal rules and procedures - specialization of roles - impersonal relationships
90
what are the pros and cons of bureaucratization?
pros: efficiency, predictibility, stability cons: dehumanization, inflecxibility, inefficiency
91

Soci 210 - Classical Theory (5 decks)

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