The Fate of Modern People in Law: An Introduction to the Study of Max Weber's Legal Thought

Author: Zheng Ge
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-03-01
Features: This book places Weber's theory within the broader context of Western legal traditions. It first analyzes the influence of Weber's systematic legal education on his approach to and solutions for the issues he addressed. In this process, the author clarifies the relationship between law and the social sciences, reveals the uniqueness of legal research methods, and explains the intellectual motivations behind Weber's decision to abandon the perspective of a legal professional in favor of social science research methods. Subsequently, the author examines the substantive content related to law in Weber's social theory. Previous scholars studying Weber's legal thought have largely focused on the "Sociology of Law" section in Economy and Society. This book, however, systematically investigates Weber's analysis of law as presented in his sociology of religion, political sociology, and sociology of economy, discussing the relationships between law and morality, religion, economy, politics, and culture in Weber's thought. Thus, it presents readers with a comprehensive picture of Weber's legal thought. In this picture, the ways in which law influences social action are clearly discernible, and the challenges China has faced or may encounter in building a "rule of law society," as well as potential solutions, are subtly implied in the background.