Weber

Explain Webers theory of Ethical Irrationality

• This is the theory that there is no positive correlation between ethically “good” action, and ethically “good” outcome

• Thus, ethically “good” action can result in disastrous outcomes, creating a tendency towards volatility and violence

• To take the context in which Weber was writing, were the soldiers based in Wilhelmshaven refused to fight any longer, advocating for an end to war, and in doing so, set in motion the violence and counter-violence of the German Revolution (1919-23)

• Thus, the lack of rational, set ethics can contribute to violence. 

Explain Webers theory of Ethics of Conviction and Ethics of Responsibility

• There is no ethical consensus about the degree to which ethically dubious action justifies ethically "correct" outcomes, and vice versa.

• Thus, we must delineate between those that abide by “ethics of conviction” (action must be ethical) and those that advocate for “ethics of responsibility” (outcome must be ethical).

• Both of these stances are perfectly legitimate, and come from a place of morality, but are fundamentally counterposed.

• What's so insightful about this point is that it reveals why there is violence not just between political camps, but also within them.

• Again to utilise Weber's own lived experience, the Social Democratic Party (SPD) split on this very issue.

• The Majority SPD advocated for an “ethic of conviction”, utilising ethically legitimate Parliamentary methods to push for greater democracy and economic equality. In contrast, the Communist Party (KPD) were driven by an “ethic of conviction” utilising extra-parliamentary takeovers to ensure that these changes (such as the democratisation of the workplace) were enacted.

• This difference in ethical conviction lead to violence, with Freidrick Ebert (Majority SPD leader) order the execution of Karl Liebneckt and Rosa Luxemburg (KPD leaders). T

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How is ethical difference only set to become more problematic over time?

The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, 1905

• Secularisation has removed the ethical bounds which once governed political discourse, allowing a greater pluralism and divergence in thought, and thus, an increase in political antagonism, and violence.

• At the same time, this religious disconnect, or “disenchantment”, has caused individuals to no longer see themselves as spiritually bonded to one another.

• Thus, the ethical bounds that used to discourage violence have only declined over time.

• Therefore, the secularisation and “disenchantment” of society has removed the ethical boundaries that once reduced violence, a process which only continues.

What is Webers solution to politics?

A ‘Charismatic leader’, “that unites people through their “certain quality of an individual personality” (Weber, 1922), and is thus able to transcend the volatility and antagonism that ethically driven politics creates

How does Simone De Beauvoir (1948) support Webers understanding of ethics?

Simone De Beauvoir (1948) argues that ethically informed politics often justifies violence. This is because it transfers the moral weight of violence from the individual to whatever moral framework they claim to abide by, and thus relinquishes them from the responsibility of violence

(Add bit about how shes doesnt think theres an moral objectivity as an existentialist)

How does Chantal Mouffe (2005) support Webers understanding of ethics?

• When issues are placed as ethically committed, moralised battles, the close down any avenue to compromise

• Thus, it is turned into a winner-takes-all interaction, massively increase the states of the conflict - shifting them from political disagreements ("adversaries") to fundamentalist cultural or religious wars ("enemies") where violence becomes the ultimate expression of ethical difference

Whats Mommsen`s (1959) criticism of Webers concept of charismatic leadership?

By calling for charismatic leadership, and sacrificing the very democratic institutions that acted as guarantors against state repression, and thus increases the likelihood of violence

Whats Habermas (1981) criticism of Webers concept of charismatic leadership?

it is only through open public debate and “communicative rationality” that opposing ethical worldviews can be resolved through non-violent means, and thus to retreat from democratic ends would only act to emphasis the relationship between ethically driven action and violence.

Who argued that only through democracy and “communicative rationality” that opposing ethical worldview can be resolved?

Habermas (1981)

Who argues that democratic institutions helps act as a guarantor against political violence?

Mommsen`s (1959)