210 THE SOCIAL THEORY OF GEORG SIMMEL 
with that of their predecessors, individualistic and cosmo- 
politan. Their aim was a complete development and self- 
realization of the individual. They conceived of compan- 
ionship with others only as a means to that end. On the 
other hand, however, they conceived a fundamental equal- 
ity and fraternity which united all individuals in a com- 
mon humanity. The socio-historical process had disrupted 
the small social circles of Greek life. The ethical interests 
formerly devoted to the city-state now attached them- 
selves to the individual on the one hand and to an all-in- 
clusive humanity on the other hand. Christianity is but 
the religious formulation of this same fundamental formal 
relationship. It gave the human being a fully independent 
and autonomous individual soul, but bound him, on the 
other hand, in one inclusive circle with all humanity. It 
held him individually completely responsible for all his 
acts and tried to instal in him at the same time a spirit of 
self-sacrifice and a devotion to the largest possible circle. 
The expansion of the social circle in which the individ- 
nal participates will destroy, on the one hand, his provin- 
cialism, his sectarianism, and his narrow group egoism. 
On the other hand, it will stimulate both an individual 
egoism and a wider social sympathy and solidarity. But 
if, owing to peculiar circumstances, the latter cannot de- 
velop, if the social circle has become so large that all direct 
personal relationships practically drop out, then there re- 
mains only an unrestrained individual egoism and ruthless 
self-assertion. The introduction of money has brought 
about such results in the economic world. It has liberated 
the individual from the narrow bonds of his guild and even 
from those of his national group and has created a world- 
economy; but, on the other hand, it has favored an eco- 
nomic egoism in all degrees of ruthlessness. The wider the 
economic sphere for which a man produces, the less does