韋伯[Max Weber]的「預言」與大眾社會理論

On Max Weber's “Prophecy” and the Theory of Mass Society

在社會學，有關大眾社會結構的理論有兩種摸式：一是「理性－－非理模式」(rationality--irrationality model)；一是「組織化－－原子化模式」(organization--atomization model)。這兩種社會分析模式都可溯源到韋伯的有關現代社會剖析的理論。德國這位希世的學問巨人曾慧眼獨具地指出，社會現代化的過程，在本質上不外是普遍的理性化擴展的過程，而理性化過程在社會組織方面的表現，乃是有如機械組織一般的科層祖織的滲透與發展。可是，另一方面，理性化發展到極致，很有可能導致非理性層面的擴大，造成籠罩在現代社會上面的一大陰影。就這一點而言，韋伯實不愧為二十世紀大眾社會理論的先驅者或「先知」。可是有關韋伯思想與大眾社會理論的關連，很少學者曾注意到。不論是大眾社會理論者（如W•Kornhauser）或韋伯研究者（如R•Bendix）都很少提到兩者的關係。本文主旨在於從韋伯的社會理論中探討大眾社會理論的根源。特別是有關韋伯的理性化概念與科層制化社會的意義，並進而從其思想片斷中，尋找韋伯對克服內在於現代大眾社會的病理的一些啟示，以供企圖克服大眾社會病理現象的研究者之參考。

In sociology, There are two models concerning the characteristics of mass society: one is“rational--irrational” model, and the other is “organization--atomization”model. The origins of both of these models can be found in the works of Max Weber on the theory of modem society analysis. This great academic giant of Germany has pointed out that the process of social modernization, in its essence, is the same as the universal process of rationalization. As a result of its impact on social organizations, there has been a rapid growth of the machine--like rational organizations. But, at the same time, the extreme development of rationality (especially instrumental rationality) may also leads to the vigorous spread of irrationality which casts a gloom shadow over modem society. From this point of view, Max Weber is well worthy of being called the pioneer or the “prophet”of the theory of mass society of the twentieth century. However, very few scholars have paid attention to Weber’s contribution on this field. Neither the student of mass society such as William Kornhauser nor the Weberian scholars such as Reinhard Bendix. The main purpose of this paper lies in the exploration into the roots of the mass society theory from the various writings of Max Weber. The analysis has been focused on the Weber’s concepts of rationalization and bureaucratization. The author also tried to find some illuminating suggestions which can be found from the fragments of Weber’s thought on the possible alternative future society in which the pathology of mass society could be overcomed. It is hoped that this study will contribute to the study of mass society theory especially in the overcoming of its pathological aspect.