ABSTRACT
This chapter explains two different arguments in practical philosophy that end in the same conclusion, namely that only an open society can harbour values fully, promoting individual ethical responsibility. Max Weber delivered a couple of articles where he launched the position that values, especially ultimate values, are more based upon choice than reason. Weber wrote a couple of articles on methodology which, together with his theory of action as intentional behavior, states a coherent social science methodology, outlining elements towards a practical philosophy. Weber was well acquainted with Kantian epistemology and ethics, comprising a sharp separation between pure and practical reason, understanding and action. Jürgen Habermas arrives at the conclusion about an open society in an entirely different way, compared with Weber. The concept of the public sphere goes beyond both the state, official power, and the economic structures of civil society.
