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.