Scienza sociale o politica? Il dilemma dell’avalutatività

Abstract

The rapid growth of the ‘studies’ profoundly influenced the social sciences in recent decades. Against the background of this reality, to ask today the question of Weber’s value neutrality appears an anachronism. The relationship between science, ethics and politics is characterized today by a massive blending of communicative codes. Political intentions and ethical principles guide the main stream of social science. The essay reconstructs the fundamental features of Weber’s conception of the conduct of life of the scientist and the political and highlights its normative intent. For Weber the functional differentiation between the spheres of science, ethics and politics is not only an achievement of modernity, but also an ethical-political heritage to defend. Weber only spends a few words about the background of this position. By comparison with Luhmann’s theory of ‘human rights as a social institution’ the essay offers a key to interpreting the position of Weber and its consequences for an analysis of the current success of the studies.