Introduction: The crisis of understanding.
Max Weber on Verstehen: Weber, M. Objectivity in social science and social policy. Weber, M. Basic sociological terms. Parsons, T. Value-freedom and objectivity. Habermas, J. Discussion.
The positivist reception: Abel, T. The operation called Verstehen. Rudner, R. On the objectivity of social science. Taylor, C. Interpretation and the sciences of man.
The Wittgensteinian reformulation: Winch, P. The idea of a social science. Winch, P. Understanding a primitive society. Jarvie, I. C. Understanding and explanation in sociology and social anthropology. Winch, P. Comment.
Phenomenology and ethnomethodology: Schutz, A. Concept and theory formation in the social sciences. Garfinkel, H. What is ethnomethodology? Mayrl, W. Ethnomethodology: sociology without society?
Hermeneutics and critical theory: Apel, K.-O. The A priori of communication and the foundation of the humanities. Ricoeur, P. The model of the text: meaningful action considered as a text. Habermas, J. A.