Max Weber in context

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This book aims to demonstrate that Max Weber’s ideas can only be fully appreciated within their historical context. It builds on previous inquiries into Weber’s work and situates him within the broader landscape of German-language thought in the humanities and social sciences before 1933, a time when German speakers were at the forefront of academic innovation. This rich intellectual period has often been overshadowed by the Nazi catastrophe, yet it remains foundational to contemporary thought. The book comprises seven major essays that explore Weber’s contributions across various contexts: social science and economics, law, theology and religion, psychology and philosophy, and academic publishing. It also addresses those whom Weber believed had forsaken rigorous, scientific inquiry for more literary approaches. For Weber, specialization was a necessary yet restrictive aspect of academia. The book seeks to engage with Weber in a truly “Weberian” manner, examining his work across multiple disciplines while also considering his significance within the broader German-language intellectual tradition.