Question

Max Weber’s instrumental rationality refers to ________________.

• A. Traditional action
• B. Emotive action
• C. Goal-rational action
• D. Value-rational action

Hint:

Remember Weber: Instrumental rationality = efficiency towards goals, Value-rational = guided by values, Traditional = customs, Affective = emotions.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Weber’s classification of social action.
Max Weber classified social action into four types: traditional, affective (emotive), value-rational, and goal-rational (zweckrational).
Step 2: Meaning of instrumental (goal-rational) rationality.
Instrumental rationality (zweckrational) means action oriented towards the most efficient means to achieve a specific goal, considering costs, benefits, and consequences. It is also called "goal-rational action."
Step 3: Eliminate other options.
- (A) Traditional action = guided by customs, not instrumental reasoning.
- (B) Emotive action = guided by emotions, not rational calculation.
- (D) Value-rational action = guided by values or beliefs, regardless of consequences.
Thus, instrumental rationality corresponds to (C) Goal-rational action.