The social Theory of Georg Simmel

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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

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OPPOSITION 127 tion of the struggle, but rather the kind that leads to this termination. This tendency toward conciliation, which seeks to end the struggle apart from any objective grounds, is a specific sociological impulse. It is similar to the dis- position to quarrel apart from any objective grounds which promotes struggle. This tendency toward conciliation is not identical with the general peaceful disposition. The latter avoids strife under all circumstances and never fights without longing for peace. The spirit of conciliation, how- ever, often manifests itself most clearly immediately after a complete and most enthusiastic devotion to the struggle. [t is usually strongest after the fighting energies have spent themselves in full. Conciliation as resulting from subjective elements is relatively independent of the objective situation. It can occur after the complete victory of one party or in the mid- dle of an undecided struggle or after the successful ar- rangement of a compromise. On the other hand, the strug- gle may terminate in victory or compromise without the conciliation of the opponents. Moreover, the conciliation itself is to be distinguished from the situation which follows it. This may be either a relationship of attachment and alliance or a mutual avoidance of all positive contacts. Conciliation is therefore a subjective means of terminat- ing conflicts without reference to their probable outcome, be it victory or compromise. In the preceding pages different forms of conflict have been analyzed in their sociological aspects. It is evident from that analysis that a conflict is a synthesizing force. It means not only a synthesis between the contesting par- ties and a strengthening of the internal unity of opposing groups, but, in the form of competition, it also leads to a strengthening of the bonds between the opponents and the group as a whole. 1 Soz., pp. 323-36.

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