Maithreyi NaiduAIR 27 · CSE 2020 · 354 wordsTheir whole copy
Opening · a definition
Max Weber held that sociology is the study of social action. He defined social action as meaningful behaviour of an individual subjectively oriented towards another actor.
Therefore, according to Weber's theory of social action, behaviour is simply response to stimuli such as shivering in cold weather. Action is when the actor attaches meaning to the behaviour and consciously acts, for example wearing a sweater to protect from the chill. Finally, social action occurs when the actor orients his or her meaningful action towards the other actors such as choosing a sweater because it will appear fashionable to others. It is this social action which is the subject of study within sociology.
Further, Weber holds that the orientation of the action may be of four types:
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(i) rational orientation where the actor logically selects the goals and then
selects the most efficient means to achieve those goals. (ii) affective orientation where the actor acts on the basis of emotional attachment such as fear, happiness etc (iii) traditional orientation where the actor acts in a particular way because it has been done so in the past (iv) value rational orientation where the actor selects the action based on certain values such as courage, truth, patriotism etc.
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When actions are repeatedly performed, they give rise to various forms of social relationships such as norms, fashions, institutions etc.
Weber's emphasis on the central role of social action in sociological analysis has been criticized by structuralists for its ignorance of the role played by social structures in shaping individual actions. Both functionalists such as Parsons and conflict theorists such as Marxist sociologists have argued that the individual does not have absolute freedom in choosing between multiple
courses of action and his actions are invariably guided by role and status occupied by him in the social structure.
To address this criticism, Giddens has proposed the neo Weberian theory of structuration where structure and action both contribute to shape and develop each other.
Other critiques of Weber's theory include the lack of predictability as actions are completely subjective, and inability to explain how society is maintained if individuals are completely creative.