The texts compiled in this volume document and illuminate the path of thought upon which Weber turned to sociology comparatively late in life. He wanted to clarify the position and the function of this new science, which was highly controversial in Germany, in connection with cultural and social sciences and within the framework of his own research, to find a methodological and conceptual-theoretical basis for its specific way of explaining things and to demonstrate its explanatory potential in comprehensive historical and cultural comparative studies. The volume is a collection of writings, speeches and contributions to discussions on methodological and theoretical problems which originated in this frame of reference between 1908 and 1917 and, with a few exceptions, were also published. The annotations attached to the texts aid in their understanding, the editorial reports describe the context in which they originated and how they were passed on and the introduction deals with the overlapping thematic and systematic contexts.