Max Weber: Readings and Commentary on Modernity Paperback - 2005

First line

Every single important activity and ultimately life as a whole, if it is not to be permitted to run on as an event in nature but is instead to be consciously guided, is a series of ultimate decisions through which the soul - as in Plato - chooses its own fate; that is, the meaning of its activity and existence.

From the rear cover

More than 80 years after his death, Max Weber and his sociology continue to fuel intense interest, controversy, and debate. This unique volume gathers Weber's writings on a broad array of themes, from the nature of work, to the political culture of democracy, to the uniqueness of the West, to the character of the family and race relations, to the role of science and the fate of ethical action in the modern world. One central aspect of the Weberian legacy - the questions of "How do we live?" and "How can we live in the industrial society?" - has been rejuvenated here as a pivotal theme that makes Weber even more accessible to current and future generations.

Organized by topic, Max Weber includes numerous readings from contemporary sociologists that demonstrate how Weber's ideas have influenced recent scholarship. Editorial introductions and further reading lists help to place Weber in the history of ideas and sociological theory. Students, scholars, and all interested in Weber's views on the modern world will want this insightful and outstanding collection.