Max Weber Sociology of Social Action - Essay Example

Sociology is not just restricted to social action as it studies other factors, as well, but Max Weber argues that the aspect of sociology is underlain by social action as the main platform. This theory by Weber agrees and assumes that all human beings perform different actions based on the various social contexts and the impact it will have on people’s reaction. That is, whether desirable or not, if not desirable, then the action should be changed or modified. The act can be either a basic social action or an advanced social action, which not only has meaning, but also is targeted at other actors and causes action.

The agent or individual carrying out the act is active and reactive (Weber, 1991). Social Action Characteristics According to Weber, social action has the following aspects; relationship with the present and past and future behavior of other individuals regardless of whether the individual performing the act knows these people or not. In order for an act to be social, it must be oriented to the behavior of other aspects. For example, if one is an idol worshiper and he or she worships in a solitary place, then that cannot be considered as social action, as the idol itself is not alive and does not offer or show any reaction to the worshiper’s actions (Weber, 1991). . A meaningful understanding of the social actions of other individuals should be in existence.

An action is interpreted in terms of its intended meaning. A social action is explained in terms of the expected results that the person performing the action intended to achieve. In essence, this explains the action itself such that the end product acquired is a cause of the present actions. Weber argued that, it is significant that actions be explained in terms of their meaningfulness. After which, sociology analysis then identifies the meaning that that particular action carries for the person carrying out the act (Weber, 1991).

Types and Kinds of Social Action There exist different types of social actions. The first is rational actions also known as value rational actions. Here there is no consideration of the impacts of the action or even the acceptability of the method used in order to acquire the desired goal. This follows the saying; the end justifies the means (Weber, 1991). The second type of action is emotional or flectional actions. These are actions engaged due to an individual’s emotions. A good example entails when a person cries at a funeral or in the event of death of a loved one.

The third is traditional actions, which are those that are performed while following tradition. These actions are always oriented in a particular manner. The fourth type of action is value relational actions, which is also known as instrumental actions (Rodney, 2007). For my discussion, I will take value relational actions. These are actions, which are firstly planned, designed, and then taken after careful evaluation of a particular goal in relation to other goals. The action is only taken after