Explain what Weber meant by the distinction between formal rationality and substantive rationality - Assignment Example

Similarly, the article examines the two theories of scientific management and human relations. Consequently, the paper looks into whether the two methods exhibit either formal or substantive rationality. Max Weber developed the concept of formal rationality at a time when capitalistic forms of organizations were steadily on the rise. Essentially, that would explain why various sociologists and scholars have on several occasions associated the concept of formal rationality to organizational entities.

According to Max Weber, characters, and various entities often have objectives, which they work towards realizing (Secchi 2011, pg. 49). Formal rationality, therefore, implies that persons of interest employ a means-ends coherent calculation in ensuring that they accomplish their aims. Weber argues that formal rationality demands that the steps being taken by an individual to achieve his or her objectives should be based on ones experience and observations. Similarly, the individuals should make their decisions based on science and logic.

Contrary to the inter-civilizational and the excelling charisma of the practical, theoretical, and substantive types of rationality, formal rationality relates to scopes of life and a configuration of supremacy that acquired distinct and defined confines only with industrialization. Most significantly, the economic, legal, and scientific ranges, and the inflexible form of the command (Kalberg 1980, pg. 1149). In like manner, it can be concluded that whereas practical rationality always point towards a diffuse affinity to evaluate and to decipher repetitive hitches by means-end rational patterns of action in orientation to realistic self- interests, formal rationality in the end legitimates a similar means-end rational calculation by reference to comprehensively applied rules, laws, or regulations.

Just as in practical