Durkheim and Functionalism:
* Focus: How social structures and institutions contribute to the stability and functioning of society.
* Key Concepts: Social facts, collective consciousness, social solidarity, anomie.
* Example: He argued that religion serves a vital function in maintaining social cohesion by providing shared beliefs and values.
Weber and Interpretivism:
* Focus: Understanding the meaning and motivations behind individual actions and social phenomena.
* Key Concepts: Verstehen (understanding), ideal types, rationalization, bureaucracy, Protestant ethic.
* Example: He analyzed the impact of the Protestant ethic on the development of capitalism, arguing that the values of hard work, thrift, and self-discipline were crucial in driving economic growth.
Key Differences:
* Focus: Durkheim focuses on the macro level of society, while Weber delves into the micro level of individual meaning-making.
* Methodology: Durkheim uses a more objective, positivist approach, while Weber emphasizes the subjective understanding of social actors.
* Emphasis: Functionalism emphasizes social order and integration, while interpretivism highlights individual agency and the complexities of social interaction.
However, it's important to note:
* Overlap: While Durkheim and Weber have distinct theoretical perspectives, there is some overlap. Weber acknowledged the importance of social structures, and Durkheim recognized the role of individual motivations.
* Complexity: Both theorists are complex and nuanced, and their work cannot be easily categorized. Their ideas continue to be debated and reinterpreted by contemporary sociologists.
In conclusion, while Durkheim is considered a functionalist, Weber is typically classified as an interpretivist. They offer contrasting but complementary perspectives on the workings of society, highlighting the diverse approaches within sociology.