Science, Rationalization, and the Persistence of Enchantment

Abstract:Against the view that in his lecture ‘Science as Vocation’ Weber was counselling students not to demand of science an emotional, prophetic or romantic response, this article argues that Weber saw experience and insight as crucial components of scientific endeavour. Beruf involves self sacrifice and discovery a mental frenzy. Drawing on Ancient Judaism non-rational elements cannot be excluded from the whole process of western rationalization. There are forces that limit rationalism and they become decisive in salvaging a place for humanity in an increasingly bureaucratized world.