A Study on the rationality of Cognitive Value and How to Achieve it in Max Weber's View (The Analysis of the Gray Region)

The notion of rationality and its related issues are some of the broadest intellectual challenges in the modern age. For most of the social theorists, rationality as one of the main characteristics of the modern world helps to experience a rich and full life. What is certain is that there is no unanimity in the debate of rationality, and every thinker prefers a type of rationality. German scholar, Max Weber, is one of the thinkers who have theorized on the rationality of cognitive value. The present paper examined Weber's ideas on reason and its relation with value and analyzed how to achieve it using the documentary method. Findings show that in Weber's opinion, when the value orientations within intrinsic rationality, whether in the moral realm or in other realms, turns into theoretical rationality and their inner integrity increases. Thus, these orientations become ordinary world view. In this way, the rationality of cognitive value is realized and actions are done based on this rationality. According to Weber, the tension between the different realms is affected by the conflict between instrumental rationality and cognitive value rationality.