Abstracts
Abstract
Max Weber considers large-scale comparative study as an extremely delicate and complex endeavour. He insists on a certain number of precautions. According to him transcultural comparisons are definitely possible, but only in a specific and modest way. The present study will first present several major characteristics of sociology that render comparison difficult: we will stress its numerous reservations. We will then examine in which circumscribed manner the large-scale comparisons can be made, on the basis of ideal-types and their limited results.
Résumé
Max Weber considère le comparatisme à grande échelle comme une tâche extrêmement délicate et complexe. Il insiste sur un certain nombre de précautions. En définitive, cependant, les comparaisons transculturelles sont possibles, selon lui, mais seulement d’une manière spécifique et modeste. La présente étude présentera tout d’abord plusieurs caractéristiques majeures de sa sociologie qui rendent la comparaison difficile : on soulignera ses nombreuses réserves. On examinera ensuite de quelle manière circonscrite des comparaisons à grande échelle peuvent être entreprises, sur la base de l’idéal-type, et leurs modestes résultats.
Zusammenfassung
Max Weber betrachtet makroskopische vergleichende Untersuchungen als ein ausgesprochen heikles und komplexes Unternehmen. Er besteht deshalb auf einer Reihe von Vorsichtsmaßnahmen. Auch wenn er transkulturelle Vergleiche für grundsätzlich realisierbar hält, so doch nur in einer spezifischen und eingeschränkten Weise. Der vorliegende Aufsatz führt zunächst einige Besonderheiten soziologischer Forschung an, die vergleichende Untersuchungen erschweren. Im Anschluss daran wird der begrenzte Sinn skizziert, in dem makroskopische vergleichende Untersuchungen möglich sind, und zwar auf der Basis von Idealtypen und deren begrenzten Aussagekraft.
Appendices
References
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