Research Program, Paradigm or Problematic? Three Ways of Reading Max Weber

Bibliographic Data

ID6147178
AuthorsJohann P Arnason (0000-0002-2320-5346, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume17
Issue1
Pages115-148
Publication date2025-07-23
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHISTORICKÁ SOCIOLOGIE (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1804-0616 • E-ISSN: 2336-3525
PublisherCharles University in Prague, Karolinum Press (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.14712/23363525.2025.7
OpenAlexW4412593537
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited6

This paper discusses ways of understanding the unity of Max Weber’s work and argues that the concept of problematic is more suitable than those commonly used in contemporary philosophy of science, such as paradigm or research program. The concept of problematic implies a less closed and integrated framework than the other two; it also places more emphasis on the problems of conceptualization. All these features make it a more adequate key to Max Weber’s eminently multi-disciplinary and multi-perspectivistic but very unfinished project. The reference to a problematic connotes both strengths and weaknesses; the strengths have to do with Weber’s exceptional ability to tackle diverse domains of research and theorizing in an original and productive way, the weaknesses with unclear connections between them and with insufficient grounding in basic concepts. These claims are backed up by closer examination of Weber’s sociology of rule, especially his analysis of changing historical relations between political and religious power. Insights gained through this approach to the political sphere can then serve to conceptualize the cultural and economic ones in a way that builds on Weber’s work but goes beyond its historically conditioned horizons

Cognitive science · Epistemology · Linguistics · Mathematics education · Reading (process · Sociology · Critical Theory and Philosophy · Philosophy · Psychology · Social and Cultural Dynamics · Weber, Simmel, Sociological Theory

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Open DOIOpen Access