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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SOCIAL DIFFERENTIATION 185 pates in concentric circles, there may be a greater number of individuals in an identical sociological position. The gradually decreasing circles like nation, social class, and subdivision of the latter do not give the participating in- dividual a specific and unique place. But if he participates in a number of social clubs and scientific societies apart from his immediate business relationships, his position be- comes pretty well defined. Such a participation in a number of intersecting cir- cles has also important consequences for the individual himself. It allows him to express in his social life a greater part of his personality. He regains in the manifoldness of his associations some of the individual uniqueness which is lost, as far as his social life is concerned, as long as he is a member of only one association. Such a position at the intersection of different social circles means not only a more complete determination, but also new tasks. The complete certainty which results from membership in a single group is replaced by a situation which is not free from waverings and uncertainties. Mem- bership in a plurality of social circles may even lead to an external and internal conflict that may threaten a dualism and disruption of the individuality. This does not contra- dict the fact that a pluralistic participation strengthens the individuality as such. The dualism and the unity are mu- tually supporting. On the one hand, there arises the prob- lem of disruption just because the individual is a unity. On the other hand, the ego will become more conscious of its unity if it is the meeting-point of divergent group inter- ests. The membership in different family groups which re- sults from modern marriage will make the lives of the indi- viduals richer, extend their interests, and force them not only to internal and external conciliations, but also to energetic self-assertions.

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