Max Weber and Charles Taylor: On normative aspects of a theory of human action

This paper seeks to make two distinctive sets of contributions through a supplementary reinterpretation Max Weber in the light Charles Taylor’s expressivist-hermeneutical theory human agency. First, it offers Weber’s work. Focussing on concept stance, highlights that theorising values and their relation cognition, action identity is less underpinned by subjectivism, representationalism, emotivism decisionism than typically thought. Instead, within non-naturalist dimension where agents find bearings are constituted as such. In this dimension, orientation meaning takes place; identity, thought constituted; normative experiences (such freedom, or responsibility) made possible. recognised has variegated modes, but seemingly studied them purest most logical form (the ‘ideal type’), hence his focus explicit belief systems world-images. Second, there prospective supplementation notion expression. For Taylor, we take stance orient ourselves expressively domain strongly valued meanings. The notions strong evaluation articulation prove central understanding embodied, symbolic representational meaning-orientation dimensions values. reading places figure current American, British French debates about, respectively, nature agency; question culture, different forms modes operation; how examine identity-formation.