Weber, re-enchantment and social futures
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2010
Abstract
Weber's portrayal of modern society as disenchanted was implicitly a way of considering the rationalization of social futures. These are futures derived from empiricist understandings of world mastery and regarded as devoid of mystery. Yet he devoted some writings to charisma and magic that were incongruent with his focus on rationality, suggesting alternative social futures that highlight mysteries for the recovery of meaning. By examining these writings in the context of his critique of modernity, it is possible to draw out some of his ideas on re-enchantment as the key to understanding alternative social futures.
Keywords
Charisma, magic, re-enchantment, Weber
Publication Title
Time & Society
Volume
19
Issue
2
Publisher
SAGE Publications (UK and US)
Publisher Location
1 OLIVERS YARD, 55 CITY ROAD, LONDON EC1Y 1SP, ENGLAND