重新找回韦伯:区域研究与社会科学的融合与发展

Bringing Max Weber Back In:Promoting the Combination and Development of Area Studies and Social Sciences

区域研究与社会科学存在不小的分野和隔阂,如何更好地促进二者的融合与发展,是21世纪人文社科学者需要思考的重要问题。马克斯·韦伯作为现代社会科学的奠基性人物,在比较区域研究领域也做出了典范意义的工作,韦伯的学术思想历久弥新,但梳理韦伯对区域研究启示的文献并不多见。本文从韦伯所著的一手文本入手,参照国内外经典的韦伯研究作品,探讨韦伯的多元世界观、问题意识导向的比较逻辑和基于理想类型的研究工具对于区域研究的重要启示。笔者呼吁21世纪的区域研究应该“重新找回韦伯”,中国的区域国别研究在这一过程中可以更好地实现“范式转型”,促进区域国别研究与社会科学的融合与发展。

There are considerable differences and misunderstanding between area studies and social sciences.It is of great necessity for scholars of humanities and social sciences to reflect on how to promote the combination and development of area studies and social sciences in the twenty-first century.As a founding figure of modern social sciences,Max Weber has also done exemplary works in the field of comparative regional studies.Although Weber’s intellectual influences are lasting,there is limited literature on Weber’s inspirations on area studies.Based on the first-hand texts written by Weber and the classic research works on Weber,this article discusses how Weber’s pluralistic worldviews,comparative methods and ideal types can contribute to area studies.The author advocates to bring Max Weber back in area studies in the twenty-first century.It will facilitate a“paradigm shift”of China’s area studies and promote the combination and development of area studies and social sciences in China.