MAGIC, RATIONALITY, AND MAX WEBER
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Issue Date
1967-01-01Author
Wax, Murray L.
Publisher
Department of Sociology, University of Kansas
Type
Article
Rights
Copyright (c) Social Thought and Research. For rights questions please contact Editor, Department of Sociology, Social Thought and Research, Fraser Hall, 1415 Jayhawk Blvd, Lawrence, KS 66045.
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Show full item recordAbstract
The notion of magic is central to Weber's empirical studies. His usage is examined and found inadequate; magic restricts the style of social change, but does not prohibit it. A more appropriate definition, in terms of world view, is proposed. Since northern European history reveals a native pattern of individualism and hostility to magic, the question arises whether Protestantism is simply an emergent of tendencies vdthin Christianity or rather a nativistic movement against, and reinterpretation of, a foreign religion. Examination of recent world events also serves to raise questions about Weber's theory that the power of magic could only be disrupted by great, rational prophecy.
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Citation
Kansas Journal of Sociology, Volume 3, Number 1 (WINTER, 1967), pp. 12-19 http://dx.doi.org/10.17161/STR.1808.4663
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