Key Arguments

• He states that a sociological theory of the economy is compelled to include the concept of 'good' among its categories: 'A sociological theory of the economy is directly compelled to include the concept of “good” among its categories (as is done in §2).'
• He grounds this necessity in the nature of economic action as deliberative: 'For sociological theory is concerned with the kind of “action” that derives its specific meaning from the outcome of deliberations on the part of the economic actor (which deliberations can only be isolated theoretically).'
• He then defines 'utilities' as those Chancen of use that actors select as objects of provision: 'By “Utilities” (Nutzleistungen) will always be meant those concrete (real or putative) Chancen of present or future possible uses that one or more economic agents deem solely appropriate to become objects of provision, to whose presumed significance as means capable of serving the economic agent’s or agents’ ends his (or their) economic activity is consequently oriented.'
• He specifies that utilities can be either human or non-human, and introduces 'goods' and 'services' accordingly: 'Utilities can be services (Leistungen) realised either by a human or a nonhuman (material) intermediary (Träger). These latter material intermediaries for utilities, of whatever kind, are called “goods,” whereas human utilities, insofar as they arise from actual action, are called “services.”'
• He extends economic consideration to social relationships whenever they are seen as potential sources of future powers of disposal over utilities: 'Social relationships are also the object of economic consideration insofar as they are thought to represent a possible source of present or future powers of disposal over utilities.'
• He introduces 'economic Chancen' as opportunities generated by custom, interests, or other factors (the sentence breaks off here, but clearly ties Chancen to opportunities relevant for economic action): '“Economic Chancen” are opportunities that arise through custom, interests, or a'

Source Quotes

7. A sociological theory of the economy is directly compelled to include the concept of “good” among its categories (as is done in §2). For sociological theory is concerned with the kind of “action” that derives its specific meaning from the outcome of deliberations on the part of the economic actor (which deliberations can only be isolated theoretically).

A sociological theory of the economy is directly compelled to include the concept of “good” among its categories (as is done in §2). For sociological theory is concerned with the kind of “action” that derives its specific meaning from the outcome of deliberations on the part of the economic actor (which deliberations can only be isolated theoretically). Economic theory, which provides the foundations for the theoretical insights of economic sociology—however much the latter might be forced to create its own structures—can (perhaps) proceed differently. §2.

Economic theory, which provides the foundations for the theoretical insights of economic sociology—however much the latter might be forced to create its own structures—can (perhaps) proceed differently. §2. By “Utilities” (Nutzleistungen) will always be meant those concrete (real or putative) Chancen of present or future possible uses that one or more economic agents deem solely appropriate to become objects of provision, to whose presumed significance as means capable of serving the economic agent’s or agents’ ends his (or their) economic activity is consequently oriented. Utilities can be services (Leistungen) realised either by a human or a nonhuman (material) intermediary (Träger).

Utilities can be services (Leistungen) realised either by a human or a nonhuman (material) intermediary (Träger). These latter material intermediaries for utilities, of whatever kind, are called “goods,” whereas human utilities, insofar as they arise from actual action, are called “services.” Social relationships are also the object of economic consideration insofar as they are thought to represent a possible source of present or future powers of disposal over utilities.

These latter material intermediaries for utilities, of whatever kind, are called “goods,” whereas human utilities, insofar as they arise from actual action, are called “services.” Social relationships are also the object of economic consideration insofar as they are thought to represent a possible source of present or future powers of disposal over utilities. “Economic Chancen” are opportunities that arise through custom, interests, or a

Social relationships are also the object of economic consideration insofar as they are thought to represent a possible source of present or future powers of disposal over utilities. “Economic Chancen” are opportunities that arise through custom, interests, or a

Key Concepts

• A sociological theory of the economy is directly compelled to include the concept of “good” among its categories (as is done in §2).
• For sociological theory is concerned with the kind of “action” that derives its specific meaning from the outcome of deliberations on the part of the economic actor (which deliberations can only be isolated theoretically).
• By “Utilities” (Nutzleistungen) will always be meant those concrete (real or putative) Chancen of present or future possible uses that one or more economic agents deem solely appropriate to become objects of provision, to whose presumed significance as means capable of serving the economic agent’s or agents’ ends his (or their) economic activity is consequently oriented.
• These latter material intermediaries for utilities, of whatever kind, are called “goods,” whereas human utilities, insofar as they arise from actual action, are called “services.”
• Social relationships are also the object of economic consideration insofar as they are thought to represent a possible source of present or future powers of disposal over utilities.
• “Economic Chancen” are opportunities that arise through custom, interests, or a

Context

End of §1 (point 7) and beginning of §2, where Weber motivates and provides basic definitions for 'utilities', 'goods', 'services', and 'economic Chancen' as core categories of economic sociology.