Verstehen

Definition of Verstehen

The Canada social science dictionary [1] provides the following meaning of Verstehen: Associated with the writing of Max Weber (1864-1920), verstehen is now seen as a concept and a method central to a rejection of positivistic social science (although Weber appeared to think that the two could be united). Verstehen refers to understanding the meaning of action from the actor’s point of view. It is entering into the shoes of the other, and adopting this research stance requires treating the actor as a subject, rather than an object of your observations. It also implies that unlike objects in the natural world human actors are not simply the product of the pulls and pushes of external forces. Individuals are seen to create the world by organizing their own understanding of it and giving it meaning. To do research on actors without taking into account the meanings they attribute to their actions or environment is to treat them like objects. See: ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH /POSITIVISM in this legal dictionary and in the world encyclopedia of law.

Verstehen: Resources

Notes and References

• Drislane, R., & Parkinson, G. (2016). (Concept of) Verstehen. Online dictionary of the social sciences. Open University of Canada