German economic historian Werner Sombart (1863-1941) developed his own epistemological and methodological approach to the social sciences which he called "noological sociology". his approach to economics, history, and sociology was influenced by the historical school of economics, especially by the works of Gustav Schmoller, on the one hand, and Marxism and other socialist teachings, on the other. However, unlike the supporters of the historical school, he believed that it was possible to develop generalizing theories about the social system, by studying its historical development. He differed from Marx's approach in that he emphasized the importance of social superstructure (unlike Marx, who gave priority to the economic structure).

This sociology sees the whole society as a spirit (Geist), and the field of study is the forms and cycles of civilizations. Emerging social phenomena must be studied in their historical and institutional context. He believed that it was possible to study social phenomena from a value-neutral standpoint. Sombart differentiates two opposing methods of scientific research: "objectivizing" (Begreifen) and "understanding" (verstehen). The first method is used by the natural sciences, and only partially, and with less success, can be applied to sociology and other social sciences. Understanding, as a method, is used to understand the meaning that, in subjective categories, behavior has for the actor. Every system of meaning has an organic character, and therefore an essential uniqueness.

Sombart was a great supporter of socialism in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and this is a topic he deals with in the books Socialism and the Social Movement in the 19th Century (2011, in German 1896) and Why is there no Socialism in the United States (1976, in German 1906). In the period between the publication of these two books, his most important book, Modern Capitalism (2019, in German 1902), was published, in which he explored the origins and nature of modern capitalism.

He supplemented Marx's theory of the origin and development of capitalism with a socio-psychological and socio-cultural dimension. Sombart emphasizes the influence of religion, especially Judaism, on the development of capitalism, because the Jews were the first to engage in trade and borrowing money. Sombart believes that Jews practiced these occupations because of their racial origins. He views the Jews as a lower race and believes that they are characterized by the power of will, egoism, and abstract mentality. 

Author: Sombart Werner.

Books:

Sombart. Socialism and the Social Movement in the 19th Century (1898, in German 1896);

     -     Modern Capitalism (2019, in German 1902);

     -     Why is There No Socialism in the United States (1976, in German 1906); 

     -     The Jews and Modern Capitalism (2015, in German 1911);

     -     Luxury and Capitalism (1922, in German 1912);  

     -     The Quintessence of Capitalism: A Study of the History and Psychology of the Modern Business (2018, in German 1913);

     -     A New Social Philosophy (1937, in German 1934); 

     -     Traders and Heroes: Patriotic Reflections (2021, in German 1915);

     -     Economic Life in the Modern Age (2018).