Simmel

Georg Simmel, as well as being a major philosopher, is one of the founding figures of sociology whose work is comparable in importance to that of Marx, Weber, and Durkheim. His writings on money, metropolises, and modernity have inspired generations of thinkers for over a century. In this book, leading expert Thomas Kemple clearly and accessibly introduces Simmel’s sociological and philosophical work, ranging from his masterpiece The Philosophy of Money to his famous essays ‘The Metropolis and Mental Life’ and ‘Fashion’ and beyond. The author situates his writings within his social and intellectual circles and analyses them in light of current debates surrounding urban sociology and social networks, phenomenology and metaphysics, cultural criticism and the study of everyday life. He brings Simmel’s most famous works into conversation with others that have received less attention, such as his writings on nature, art, religion, and sexuality. Through diagrams, everyday examples, and expositions of the work of his predecessors and contemporaries, and successors, this highly readable book captures the innovative spirit of Simmel’s unique method of thinking about cultural objects and his original style of writing about social life. Commemorating the 100th anniversary of Simmel’s death, it will be the leading guide to Simmel’s thought for generations of students and scholars.

Illustrations vii Abbreviations viii Preface and Acknowledgements xi 1 Introduction: The Problem of Fitting in and Standing Out 1 Excursus on Social Evolution: Simmel without Spencer and Freud 19 Part I Philosophy of Money 23 2 The Price of Freedom 27 Excursus on Social Quantities: Simmel before Durkheim and Tarde 39 3 Functional Values and Personal Worth 43 Excursus on Cultural Capitalism: Simmel with Weber and Sombart 56 4 The Lifestyles of Fast Capitalism 59 Excursus on Class Conflict: Simmel beneath Marx and Engels 71 Part II Sociology of Metropolises 75 5 Privacy and Secrecy in Mass Society 79 Excursus on Maternal Feminism: Simmel between Marianne Weber and Gilman 91 6 The Cosmopolitan Worldview and Urban Fashion 96 Excursus on Sociological Vitalism: Simmel through Bergson and Mannheim 110 7 The Propertied and the Poor Person in the Big City 114 Excursus on Race Relations, Strangers, and Other Marginals: Simmel behind Park and Du Bois 126 Part III Cultures of Modernity 133 8 The Ruin and Renewal of Life 137 Excursus on Sustainability and Surplus: Simmel alongside Veblen and Mauss 149 9 Adventures in Space and Time 153 Excursus on Spatiality and Temporality: Simmel after Martineau and Tocqueville 166 10 Conclusion: The Tragedy of Individuality 170 Excursus on Identity and Difference: Simmel across Mead and Husserl 185 Suggestions for Further Reading 188 References 190 Index 202