In 1904 Max Weber published an essay on objectivity in the social sciences. In it he defined the Idealtypus, the ideal type. It is formed by stressing one or a few points of view one-sidedly. Many scattered single phenomena that fit these points of view are joined zu einem in sich einheitlichen Gedankenbilde, into one unified mental picture.
Weber added that in its conceptual purity this picture cannot be found anywhere in reality. Es ist eine Utopie. It is a utopia. For historical work, he wrote, the task is to establish in each single case how near to or far from this ideal picture reality stands.