Weber: Selections in Translation

Abstract

description of ideal types intended and attributed meaning The meaning of social action - ie the meaning intended by the agent or the meaning attributed to the agent 'In neither case is the 'meaning' to be thought of as somehow objectively 'correct' or 'true' by some metaphysical criterion' (p.7) 2 kinds of understanding 'direct understanding of the intended meaning of an action' and explanatory understanding' - understanding of motive g(p.11) traditional behaviour 'the expression of a settled custom' (p.28) 'very often such behaviour is simply a dull reaction to accustomed stimuli along lines laid down by settled habits' (p.28)