Max Weber’s Methodology: The Method of Falsification Applied to Text Interpretations

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Author(s) 

Christian Etzrodt

Affiliation(s)

Law Department, Yamanashi Gakuin University, Kofu, Japan.

ABSTRACT

Text interpretations are usually leading to ambiguous results. This is especially the case for the interpretation of Max Weber’s methodology. I discuss Thomas Burger’s interpretation that Weber applied Rickert’s methodology and that he never developed his own standpoint regarding the methodological problems. In contrast to this view, I propose an alternative interpretation based on the Methodenstreitin economics and the philosophies of Kant and Rickert. In my opinion Weber offered a very unique solution to an old philosophical problem, which resulted in a complete break with the Platonic and Aristotelian tradition. His solution is what I call the postulate of internal consistency (a logical consistent application of an arbitrary scheme of interpretation). I will use Popper’s method of deductive falsification to decide if Burger’s or my interpretation produces fewer contradictions.

KEYWORDS

Max Weber, Methodology, Ideal-Types, Verification, Intuition, Falsification, Postulate of Logical Cosistency

Cite this paper

Etzrodt, C. (2014) Max Weber’s Methodology: The Method of Falsification Applied to Text Interpretations. Open Journal of Philosophy, 4, 345-359. doi: 10.4236/ojpp.2014.43038.

 

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