What is Ideal Type? Discuss its characteristics.
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Answer ⤵️
Ideal types are constructed in such a way that they are kept aside from thereal world. Ideal types are hypothetical constructions formed from real phenomena, which have explanatory value. ADVERTISEMENTS: ... Ideal types signify 'pure' or 'abstract' types and do not indicate anything that is normatively desirable.
Some of the major characteristics of weber’s “Ideal Types” are as follows:
1. Ideal types are mental constructs. It is subjective in nature. Ideal types are ideal in the logical sense. They depend on our capacity for comprehension and imagination.
2. Since Ideal types are mental constructs they do not exactly correspond to the reality. Ideal types are constructed in such a way that they are kept aside from the real world. Ideal types are hypothetical constructions formed from real phenomena, which have explanatory value.
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3. Ideal types are not the instruments to denote statistical average. Ronald Fletcher writes, Ideal types is “not a description of those factors or laws which are thought to be found ‘on the average” in that kind of configuration For example: the protestant ethic does not indicate the average behaviour of all the Protestants.
4. Ideal types function as theoretical tools to understand the reality.
5. ‘Ideal type’ is not ideal in the sense of ethically good or right. Ideal types signify ‘pure’ or ‘abstract’ types and do not indicate anything that is normatively desirable. As Weber himself has stated the Ideal types have “no connection at all with value judgement and it has nothing to do with any type of perfection there than a purely logical one.”
6. Ideal types are not hypotheses. Ronald Fletcher writes, “It is not a basis of comparative experiment for the purpose of setting up “general laws.” On the contrary, it is limiting case for the explanation of a specific configuration and checks the adequacy of the specific ideal type.
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7. Ideal type is essentially a “one sided” model. It is one sided in the sense that it deliberately emphasizes those imputation thought to be worth postulating and testing. In this sense, it is purely selective and of the nature of experiment.
8. Ideal types do not provide an exhaustive description of a social Phenomenon. The nature of Ideal type is such that it does not provide an exhaustive description or an account of a social phenomenon or an entire social configuration. Ronald Fletcher writes, “Many Ideal types can be constructed about any specific configuration, each selectively emphasizing “one point of view” and submitting its particular imputations to test.”
9. Ideal types are not rigid and fixed, they are subject to change. Ideal types are abstract in nature. It resides in our imagination. They are changeable and subject to consideration from time to time. The Ideal types are also subject to modification in response to changes in social realities.
10. The ‘Ideal type’ is a clearly constructed ideal model of the specific set of social relationships of which an understanding and causal explanation is sought.
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11. Ideal types are not rational in the sense of assuming pure rationality among men and women in the specific configuration of actions and relationships. The investigator knows well enough that non-rational and irrational elements are powerfully present in much human behaviour.
12. Ideal types also help in reaching to general propositions and in comparative analysis.
Answer:
Ideal type (German: Idealtypus), also known as pure type, is a typological term most closely associated with sociologist Max Weber (1864–1920). ... The "ideal type" is therefore a subjective element in social theory and research, and one of the subjective elements distinguishing sociology from natural science.
Weber urged that the basic purpose of the Ideal type is “to analyze historically unique configurations or the individual components in terms of genetic concepts.” They are used as conception instruments for comparison with and the measurement of reality. They are indispensable for this purpose.
Explanation:
Ideal types are constructed in such a way that they are kept aside from the real world. Ideal types are hypothetical constructions formed from real phenomena, which have explanatory value. ADVERTISEMENTS: ... Ideal types signify 'pure' or 'abstract' types and do not indicate anything that is normatively desirable.