234 THE SOCIAL THEORY OF GEORG SIMMEL
indifference as to their values. In their relation to intelli-
gence, all elements have equal rights as long as they are
actual. Money is an indifferent mirror in which all ele-
ments are pictured with complete indifference to all non-
monetary values. In their relation to money, all elements
have equal rights as long as they have an economic value.
This lack .of character which is the essence of both
money and intellect is also manifest in a more positive as-
pect. Money shows its complete indifference to other val-
ues in being available for all purposes. It serves the noblest
pursuits and the basest desires; it functions in enterprises
for human welfare as well as in enterprises for human de-
struction. In a similar fashion intelligence is used both for
the welfare of humanity and for theft and murder. In the
case of money, this lack of character is once more manifest
in another direction. What is sold for money goes to him
who pays most; what is bought for money is bought from
him who asks least. Money and intellect are forms, func-
tions, the one of economic life, the other of mental life, and,
as such, they are relativistic and objective. That objectiv-
ity, that lack of character, is not a new quality in addition
to other qualities, but it is their very essence. They are the
only forms and methods of dealing with the world which
exclude personal reactions and subjective responses.
This objective and impersonal character of money and
intellect is also responsible for their importance in the de-
velopment of individualism. To understand this double
role, it becomes necessary to distinguish between content
and function, between the factual aspect of these forms and
the use that is made of them. The specific quality of the
factual aspect of money causes it to transform the subjec-
tive impulse into an objective superpersonal activity which
is subject to factual normalization. But that same quality
of its factual aspect allows the individual to realize his per-
