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Beruf, rationality and emotion in Max Weber's sociology

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 July 2009

J. M. Barbalet
J. M. Barbalet
Affiliation:
University of Leicester, Leicester.
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Abstract

The concept of Beruf, variously translated as ‘calling’ or ‘vocation’, refers to the pracdce of systematic self-control in pursuing constant goals or purposes, which Weber, in The Protestant Etbic and the Spirit of Capitalism (1905), found in both Calvinist religious practice and capitalistic entrepreneurship and labour. But the term is not confined to these applications; it is also central in Science as a Vocation (1917) and Politics as a Vocation (1919). The general significance of the idea of Berufis that it accounts for the mechanisms required to realize in action the quality of rationality, another of Weber's characteristic terms. The connection between rational activity and calling is constant in Weber's discussion. In his early statement of the argument, however, practices of Beruf achieve rationality through the suppression of emotion. In his later discussion, Beruf is achieved through and expresses passion and emotions.

Le terme Beruf, traduit par « appel» ou « vocation », renvoie à une pratique de sévère contrôle de soi dans la poursuite de ses objectifs que Max Weber a trouvé à la fois dans l'exercice de la religion calviniste et dans l'esprit d'entreprise du capitalisme, comme dans son travail [E.P. 1905]. Le terme est également central dans les deux conférences de 1917 et 1919 (Le savant et le politique). Beruf désigne alors les mécanismes requis pour mettre en œuvre le rationalité, autre concept cher à Weber. Le lien entre activité rationelle et vocation est constant, cependant il y a un grand changement. Dans les textes de 1905, Beruf conduit à la rationalité par la suppression de l'émotion alors que dans les textes plus tardifs Beruf s'appuie sur passion et émotions.

Der Begriff »Beruf«, übersetzt mit »calling« oder »vocation«, verweist auf die systematische Selbstbeherrschung bei der Verfolgung von Zielen, die Weber in »Die protestantische Ethik und der Geist des Kaptialismus« (1905) sowohl in der calvinistischen Rellgionsausübung als auch dem kapitalistischen Unternehmertum und Arbeit nachweist. Darüber hinaus ist dieser Begriff aber auch in »Wissenschaft als Beruf« (1917) und »Politik als Beruf« (1919) präsent. »Beruf« deutet hier auf jene Mechanismen hin, die die Rationalität zum Ausdruck bringen, eine andere wichtige Begriffsgattung Webers. Die Verbindung zwischen rationalem Handeln und Berufung ist permanent, in seiner frühen Argumentationsweise bedeutet »Beruf« jedoch Verzicht auf Gefühle. Später dann wird Beruf Ausdruck von Leidenschaft und Gefühlen.

Type
Note Critique
Information
European Journal of Sociology / Archives Européennes de Sociologie , Volume 41 , Issue 2 , November 2000 , pp. 329 - 351
Copyright
Copyright © Archives Européenes de Sociology 2000

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