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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220 THE SOCIAL THEORY OF GEORG SIMMEL natural economy and the money payment the factual obli- gation. The personality is then completely divorced from the product and at full liberty to obtain that money in whatever way it may choose. But the introduction of the money economy means not only an increased liberty in social life, but also an enrich- ment of social life, an increase in social values. What the objectivation of culture obtains in a substantial form, money obtains in a functional form. The objectivation of culture means the creation of objective values in which all can participate without depriving one another. The intro- duction of money means the mobilization of values, the possibility of transfer by exchange without loss to either party. This enrichment began with the invention of exchange as a substitute for gift or theft. Gift and theft meant only the satisfaction of subjective impulses. Exchange means an objective valuation and a reciprocity between subjects instead of a mere one-sided possession and a one-sided de- sire. It means an exchange of possessions under condi- tions of justice. But it means more than a were relative formal justice. It means also an increase in subjective en- joyment, an increase in subjective values. The substitution of buying and selling for primitive barter allows a more complete realization of these two prin- ciples implied in exchange. The fact that money can be subdivided into minute parts makes it possible to weigh the value of an object in terms of money more precisely than in terms of other objects. Again, the new form of ex- change gives to the one what he needs specifically and to the other what everybody needs in general and what he can therefore immediately exchange for what he needs specifically. Money creates a form of exchange which per- mits the realization of a maximum of subjective enjoyment.

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