246 THE SOCIAL THEORY OF GEORG SIMMEL
distance and reduces all things to economic values, and
thereby levels the fluctuations between distance and proximity
 and abolishes the regular alternation of movement
and rest which formerly characterized life. Yet, on the
other hand, this same lack of form makes it also an adequate
 means for the systematic and rhythmic tendency of
life wherever the phase of social development or the needs of
the individual tend in that direction.
In this respect money belongs to the category of forces
which are characterized by the fact that, although in essence
 and origin they are above and beyond the contradictions
 and oppositions of life, they none the less also
descend from their absolute position and take sides in the
opposition of relative parts. To this category belongs, in
the first place, religion, which man needs to reconcile the
contrasts between his needs and his satisfaction, between
his norms and his practice, and between his ideal of the
world and its actuality. But, once created, it does not remain
 above the relativities of existence, but becomes one
of them and takes sides in their opposition. It is a total
organism and at the same time an element; it is a part of
existence and at the same time the whole of existence on a
higher plane. This holds also for the state. It stands above
all parties and above all conflicts of interests, and yet it
takes part in these conflicts and allies itself with some party.
 It places itself thereby in opposition to the party which,
in a wider sense, it embraces and includes. Metaphysics
creates the same double position for its highest concept if
it declares the absolute to be mental substance. This absolute
 becomes then at the same time a relativity. As
mind, it can find its meaning and significance only in contrast
 and opposition to matter, and, as absolute mind, it
must then be distinguished from mental appearances of an
inferior and evil nature which it vet embraces in its abso-