Q9.
Examine how 'ideal types' of Weber is used in maintaining objectivity in sociological
research. (10M)
Approach:
Introduction: Define both Ideal types and objectivity.
Body:
● Give Features of Ideal Types
● Show interconnection between ideal types and objectivity in sociological research
● Provide various examples to substantiate your points
Conclusion: Summarise the importance of ideal types in sociological research.
Introduction:
Ideal types are “abstract models employed to understand the complex reality of the social world”. It is
an analytical construct that acts as a measuring rod to ascertain similarities as well as deviations in
concrete cases- and does not actually represent reality.
Robert Bierstedt defined objectivity as a condition where research should be independent of any
subjective elements and personal desires.
Weber believed that complete Value Freedom is not possible. Facts and values are different but not
disengaged to each other. Weber proposed that sociologists distinguish and recognize their own
qualities and beat their own predispositions while leading sociological research. This can be done using
ideal types to attain value objectivity in research.
Body:
Ideal Types as mental constructs: Features
Methodological Tool - Ideal types are methodological tools to study social reality. It scrutinises,
classifies, systematises and defines social reality without subjective bias- for example, ideal type of
spirit of capitalism does not pass any value judgement on capitalism.
Partial Conception: Ideal types do not present a total reality or they do not explain everything.
They exhibit partial conception of the whole.
Artificial: Ideal types are rarely found in pure form. One can abstract only the most commonly
found characteristics to create an ideal type. For Example- Ideal type of a serious civil aspirant will
include attributes like adherence to strict daily routine, buried in books, wears normal clothes, not
a social bird. However, not all aspirants fit into this image.
Dynamic: Ideal types are not developed once and for all. Since the reality and interests of social
scientists are changing constantly, it requires the development of new typologies.
Ideal Types making Research Objective
Middle Ground - Ideal types provide a middle ground, between idiographic and nomothetic
schools, to study social reality. For example, Weber would form an ideal type of intermediate stages
like Calvinism of religion, rather than of the history or individual experiences.
Establish logical interconnections: These interconnections help in linking different social
phenomena. Example: Weber established relationship between Protestant Ethic and Spirit of
Capitalism
Complex reality: Since there are a lot of meanings and layers associated with reality, it can only
be understood in parts rather than whole. Ideal types help in this process.
Ready reference: Ideal type saves the researcher from studying a phenomena afresh. Example –
ideal type of capitalism can be used as a ready reference for a host of commercial activities of the
17th century.
To make predictions: Situations which are approximately similar to an ideal type will have similar
outcomes. Example: Ideal type of bureaucracy has enabled sociologists to predict many of its
consequences in organisations.
Drawbacks:
Limited - Ideal types offer limited views of truth. For example, the ideal type of bureaucracy
doesn’t emphasise on the problem of corruption.
Conclusion:
Karl Popper says science is not a body of knowledge but a method of approaching and studying
phenomena. Ideal type is one such method. Weber used Ideal Types extensively in works like Economic
and Social Organisation, Sociology of Religion etc., and they proved to be useful in doing empirical
research to understand a specific aspect of the social world if not the entire reality.
