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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30 THE SOCIAL THEORY OF GEORG SIMMEL lows, however, that a factor which is negative and diminu- tive in the relationship between certain individuals if con- sidered in a given direction and by itself has the same effect throughout the totality of relationships. In thelarger circle the perspective may be wholly different. The sim- plest illustration of such an instance is the competition of individuals within the economic system. Competition, which is a special form of conflict, is a relationship which, if viewed in the totality of social interactions, may be seen to play a positive role and to contribute to the unity of the group.! The social unities which result from these processes of mutual influencing, these processes of socialization (Ver- gesellschaftung), may therefore be of different duration and of different gradation. They may range from the epheme- ral association for a promenade to the permanence of the family group, from the temporary aggregation of guests in a hotel to the intimate bond of a medieval guild.? It follows, further, that a given group of individuals may be socialized to a greater or less degree. With each new growth of synthetic formations, with each new party organization, with each association for common work or association on the basis of common feeling and thinking, the same group becomes more socialized than it was be- fore. Socialization between persons incessantly takes place and ceases. Society is not a simple, fixed concept; there can be more or less of it. There is never in existence “so- ciety” in an absolute sense, as a condition necessary to enable these interactions to take place, for there is no reciprocal influencing in an absolute sense, there are merely particular species. With the occurrence of these socializations, society puts in an appearance. They are 1 Soz., pp. 249-50. 2 I'bed.. p. 6.

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