A Little Touch of Goethe in Weber

Goethe was a common presence in the intellectual context of Weber’s work. A presence that was not limited to providing metaphors with a secondary role. Here we draw on a regularity: at the end of his texts and lectures, Weber quotes Goethe, allowing himself value judgments that are soon dismissed, leaving the poetic image as the last word – enunciation that remains after retreat. This strategy crystallizes concepts and can bring new ideas regarding the wider scope of Weber’s work. Taking The protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism, Science as a vocation and An intermediate consideration, we intend to bring new contributions by means of analyzing Faust through a thorough review of the work in the light of an approach to Weber’s thought.