💭
Module 3: Max Weber’s
Sociological Methods
Type Lecture
Summarized and complete
Identity and society: Module 3: Max
Weber’s Sociological Methods
-Max Weber
Wertfreiheit (Value freedom)
Weber proposed that sociology (as a discipline) should be value free
Gunner Myrdal disagrees rather ‘’value-frank’’- be upfront about your
values, that way others can take into account your position when looking
at your work (look at your own biases)
Positionality
requires you to be aware of your own opinions and position in society
we have to see how your position influences our views and the way
we understand society
Module 3: Max Weber’s Sociological Methods 1
, creates your ideas, opinions and thoughts and allows others to
analyse these ideas based on the social position
be exploit about your position
Marx- Theory, Weber- Empirical?
weber- approach facts without preconceived ideas, is he promoting empirical
(fact based) approach?
>Marx used evidence
>Weber has theories (lots of them)
>Durkheim used evidence (but developed theories)
Correlation and Causality
Correlation- two or more variables appear to be linked (Observable evidence)
Causality- the reason why two or more variables are linked (Explanation of
the observed evidence: a theory)
examples: Do yellow nails cause lung cancer?
there is correlation but not causality
causality- cigarettes (cig cause yellow nails)
cig causes cancer and yellow nails so it looks like yellow nails
cause lung cancer (correlation
positive:⬆⬆ ; ⬆⬆
negative: ⬇⬇ ; ⬇⬇
correlation and causality important in both natural and social
sciences
Verstehen: Understanding
Weber says that- we need to understand the beliefs of individuals (this
will help us explain their actions and the society that results
people may act with limited info/ thought
Module 3: Max Weber’s Sociological Methods 2
Module 3: Max Weber’s
Sociological Methods
Type Lecture
Summarized and complete
Identity and society: Module 3: Max
Weber’s Sociological Methods
-Max Weber
Wertfreiheit (Value freedom)
Weber proposed that sociology (as a discipline) should be value free
Gunner Myrdal disagrees rather ‘’value-frank’’- be upfront about your
values, that way others can take into account your position when looking
at your work (look at your own biases)
Positionality
requires you to be aware of your own opinions and position in society
we have to see how your position influences our views and the way
we understand society
Module 3: Max Weber’s Sociological Methods 1
, creates your ideas, opinions and thoughts and allows others to
analyse these ideas based on the social position
be exploit about your position
Marx- Theory, Weber- Empirical?
weber- approach facts without preconceived ideas, is he promoting empirical
(fact based) approach?
>Marx used evidence
>Weber has theories (lots of them)
>Durkheim used evidence (but developed theories)
Correlation and Causality
Correlation- two or more variables appear to be linked (Observable evidence)
Causality- the reason why two or more variables are linked (Explanation of
the observed evidence: a theory)
examples: Do yellow nails cause lung cancer?
there is correlation but not causality
causality- cigarettes (cig cause yellow nails)
cig causes cancer and yellow nails so it looks like yellow nails
cause lung cancer (correlation
positive:⬆⬆ ; ⬆⬆
negative: ⬇⬇ ; ⬇⬇
correlation and causality important in both natural and social
sciences
Verstehen: Understanding
Weber says that- we need to understand the beliefs of individuals (this
will help us explain their actions and the society that results
people may act with limited info/ thought
Module 3: Max Weber’s Sociological Methods 2
