Max Weber et l'anthropologie

Abstract

In spite of the obvious presence of Anthropological analysis in his writings, Weber is seldom considered as an Anthropologist. We think however that an « Anthropological moment » is indeed one of the components of his work: a signifi-cant part of his writings deals with so-called « archaic » societies. In last analysis, his scientific project-the formation of the Western modern rationality-only becomes meaningful through the gap with the "primitive" societies. Weber is therefore an Anthropologist, in so far as he wants to explain pre-modern societies, and from this analysis follow concepts that are useful to understand modernity. Anthropology and sociology are inseparable from a historical approach. What distinguishes them is less the method or the objects-religion, social norms, family-than the kind of society/community studied. © P.U.F.