Verstehen, German for understanding, is Max Weber's methodological concept for the empathetic, interpretive grasp of the subjective meaning behind social action, distinguishing sociology's task from natural science's external, causal explanation. Weber distinguished aktuelles Verstehen, direct observational understanding of an act, from erklarendes Verstehen, the deeper explanatory understanding of the motive behind it. The concept has roots in Wilhelm Dilthey's earlier hermeneutic philosophy, where Verstehen named the first-person, participatory grasp a person has of their own culture, history and experience, contrasted with the third-person explanation used in natural science; Weber adapted it into a working method for interpretive sociology in the early twentieth century. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
Facts
Core ClaimSourced to the subject's own accountGenuine sociological understanding of human action requires interpretively grasping the subjective meaning actors themselves attach to their own behavior, not only observing and causally explaining it from the outside the way natural science explains physical events. 1 Origin YearSourced to the subject's own account1894 marks Wilhelm Dilthey's Ideen ueber eine beschreibende und zergliedernde Psychologie, an early statement of the hermeneutic Verstehen concept; Max Weber's own sociological adaptation, the sense this atlas primarily documents, was developed across his methodological writings of the early twentieth century. FAQs
What is the difference between aktuelles Verstehen and erklarendes Verstehen?
Aktuelles Verstehen is direct observational understanding of an act; erklarendes Verstehen is the deeper understanding of the motive behind it.
Max Weber distinguished aktuelles Verstehen, direct observational understanding of an act, from erklarendes Verstehen, the deeper explanatory understanding of the motive behind it. Verstehen itself is Weber's methodological concept for the empathetic, interpretive grasp of the subjective meaning behind social action, distinguishing sociology's task from natural science's external, causal explanation, with roots in Wilhelm Dilthey's earlier hermeneutic philosophy.
Connections
Associated With
Both are Weberian methodological concepts for interpretive sociology: Verstehen names the interpretive act, the ideal type names the constructed measuring rod that act is checked against.
Developed By
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Verstehen
WikipediaLead section, definition
Verstehen...has been used since the late 19th century...with the particular sense of the interpretive or participatory examination of social phenomena.
Weber section, sociological method
Weber believed researchers could achieve the subjective understanding of the action of the component individuals.
Dilthey section, origin
Dilthey employed this concept to characterize the first-person participatory perspective individuals possess regarding their personal experience, culture, history, and society.
Lead section, translation
Verstehen...lit. transl. to understand.
Lead section, pronunciation guide
Verstehen (German pronunciation: [fer-shtay-en]).
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