The social Theory of Georg Simmel

Bibliographic data

Monograph

Identifikator:: 1024612627

URN:: urn:nbn:de:zbw-retromon-166627

Document type:: Monograph

Author:: Spykman, Nicholas J. http://d-nb.info/gnd/124229867

Title:: The social Theory of Georg Simmel

Place of publication:: Chicago

Publisher:: Univ. of Chicago Press.

Year of publication:: 1925

Scope:: XXIX, 297 S

Digitisation:: 2022

Collection:: Economics Books

Usage license:: Get license information via the feedback formular.

PREFACE ment of biology, society was discovered to be an organism. After the growth of economics, society was discovered to be a system of production and distribution. After new developments in psychology, society was discovered to be imitation. These philosophical and semiphilosophical in- terpretations have a value in and for themselves, but they do not provide the type of knowledge on which any re- building of the social structure can be based. There is also in most social scientists a suppressed de- sire to become social reformers and saviors of their fellow- men. A deep-felt sympathy with suffering humanity, a chivalrous tendency to take the side of the “under dog,” and an impatient desire to improve conditions quickly appar- ently give them a “will to believe” in remedies which resemble too much our patent medicines to inspire com- plete confidence. According to the physical anthropologist, we must save Western civilization by keeping the race pure. The special- ist in eugenics tells us to save society by scientific breeding. The psychologist who specializes in mental tests urges us to put the high “I.Q.’s” in the high places. The economist advocates a new system of production and distribution. The political scientist tells us that the fundamental trouble lies in our political system, that we need more democracy or less democracy. The lawyers tell us that we need more and better laws, and the students of religion inform us that we need more religion. These men are earnest, well-mean- ing human beings, scholars offering us suggestions which are based on years of learning and devoted study. The results would be humorous beyond all measure were it not that they throw a light on the very sad conditions existing in the social sciences. This tendency to philosophic interpretation and this vill to believe in simple remedies spring from our funda-

Access restriction

Copyright

fullscreen: The social Theory of Georg Simmel

Monograph

Table of contents

Download

Monograph

This page

Image fragment

Citation links

Citation recommendation