독일 사회과학의 오리엔탈리즘: 막스 베버를 중심으로

Abstract

This article examines the origin of orientalism in the discussion on the sociology of Max Weber who is the founding pioneer of German social studies. I will focus on the typical orientalism of the Westerners that comes from their special perspectives on the human history and on each nations' culture. Therefore, I will not deal with the Westerner's orientalism that comes from the ignorance of the Asian culture and tradition.The great preassumption of the academic studies that seek to overcome an orientalism is to realize that one should not have any superiority or inferiority among diferent cultures and heritages of the world peoples though one can have one's preference based on his/her personal choices. This means that the researchers should hold on to the cultural relativism. Max Weber proposes a theory and methodology for his historiography(Wirklichkeitswissenschaft) that can be compared to the cultural relativism of today. Based on his proposition, he finishes his The Economic Ehics of the World Religions. However, his scientific and empirical studies have been interpreted from the Western centered Nrmative Studies(Gesetzeswissenschaft) which Weber himself strongly refused. Therefore, I will maintain that Weber's Orientalism has appeared against Weber's own intention.