A Philosophical Interpretation of the Application of Ideal Types in Max Weber's Methodology of Social Sciences

Abstract

Ideal types are considered one of the important features in the study of social, cultural, and historical phenomena for understanding and interpreting the phenomena under investigation by scholars. However, ideal types, as tools for hypothesis formulation in social sciences, have always faced challenges due to their association with meaningful human actions. Some interpreters of Max Weber's methodology believe they should be discarded or are ineffective. Despite this, Weber emphasized their applicability in explaining social phenomena. He argued that ideal types can serve as tools for social scientists to achieve objectivity in social phenomena. In this research, I have sought to highlight the philosophical significance of ideal types as methodological tools in social science, as part of Max Weber's project to achieve objectivity in social phenomena.

Keywords: Ideal types, Philosophy of Social Sciences, Max Weber, Philosophy of Science, Sociology of Knowledge, Objectivity in Social Sciences