Simmel
1st Edition
Published on 7. December 2018
Book
Paperback/Softback
224 pages
978-1-5095-2111-1 (ISBN)
Description
Georg Simmel, as well as being a major philosopher, is one of the founding figures of sociology whose work is comparable in importance to that of Marx, Weber, and Durkheim. His writings on money, metropolises, and modernity have inspired generations of thinkers for over a century.
In this book, leading expert Thomas Kemple clearly and accessibly introduces Simmel's sociological and philosophical work, ranging from his masterpiece The Philosophy of Money to his famous essays 'The Metropolis and Mental Life' and 'Fashion' and beyond. The author situates his writings within his social and intellectual circles and analyses them in light of current debates surrounding urban sociology and social networks, phenomenology and metaphysics, cultural criticism and the study of everyday life. He brings Simmel's most famous works into conversation with others that have received less attention, such as his writings on nature, art, religion, and sexuality.
Through diagrams, everyday examples, and expositions of the work of his predecessors and contemporaries, and successors, this highly readable book captures the innovative spirit of Simmel's unique method of thinking about cultural objects and his original style of writing about social life. Commemorating the 100th anniversary of Simmel's death, it will be the leading guide to Simmel's thought for generations of students and scholars.
In this book, leading expert Thomas Kemple clearly and accessibly introduces Simmel's sociological and philosophical work, ranging from his masterpiece The Philosophy of Money to his famous essays 'The Metropolis and Mental Life' and 'Fashion' and beyond. The author situates his writings within his social and intellectual circles and analyses them in light of current debates surrounding urban sociology and social networks, phenomenology and metaphysics, cultural criticism and the study of everyday life. He brings Simmel's most famous works into conversation with others that have received less attention, such as his writings on nature, art, religion, and sexuality.
Through diagrams, everyday examples, and expositions of the work of his predecessors and contemporaries, and successors, this highly readable book captures the innovative spirit of Simmel's unique method of thinking about cultural objects and his original style of writing about social life. Commemorating the 100th anniversary of Simmel's death, it will be the leading guide to Simmel's thought for generations of students and scholars.
Reviews / Votes
'This beautifully written guide brings into vivid microscopic focus the protean wholeness and diversity of Simmel's magisterial thinking about money, economy, value, life, metropolitan existence, and the fundamental conflicts of modern culture and society.'Austin Harrington, University of Leeds
'Social and cultural theorists have been waiting a long time for a book on Simmel like Tom Kemple's. He tackles what has often been characterised as a fragmented and labyrinthine oeuvre with admirable clarity. Kemple not only situates Simmel's writings in his life and times but manages to reveal their freshness and contemporary relevance.'
Mike Featherstone, Goldsmiths, University of London
More details
Other editions
Person
Thomas Kemple is Professor of Sociology at the University of British Columbia
Content
Illustrations vii Abbreviations viii
Preface and Acknowledgements xi
1 Introduction: The Problem of Fitting in and Standing Out 1
Excursus on Social Evolution: Simmel without Spencer and Freud 19
Part I Philosophy of Money 23
2 The Price of Freedom 27
Excursus on Social Quantities: Simmel before Durkheim and Tarde 39
3 Functional Values and Personal Worth 43
Excursus on Cultural Capitalism: Simmel with Weber and Sombart 56
4 The Lifestyles of Fast Capitalism 59
Excursus on Class Conflict: Simmel beneath Marx and Engels 71
Part II Sociology of Metropolises 75
5 Privacy and Secrecy in Mass Society 79
Excursus on Maternal Feminism: Simmel between Marianne Weber and Gilman 91
6 The Cosmopolitan Worldview and Urban Fashion 96
Excursus on Sociological Vitalism: Simmel through Bergson and Mannheim 110
7 The Propertied and the Poor Person in the Big City 114
Excursus on Race Relations, Strangers, and Other Marginals: Simmel behind Park and Du Bois 126
Part III Cultures of Modernity 133
8 The Ruin and Renewal of Life 137
Excursus on Sustainability and Surplus: Simmel alongside Veblen and Mauss 149
9 Adventures in Space and Time 153
Excursus on Spatiality and Temporality: Simmel after Martineau and Tocqueville 166
10 Conclusion: The Tragedy of Individuality 170
Excursus on Identity and Difference: Simmel across Mead and Husserl 185
Suggestions for Further Reading 188
References 190
Index 202
Preface and Acknowledgements xi
1 Introduction: The Problem of Fitting in and Standing Out 1
Excursus on Social Evolution: Simmel without Spencer and Freud 19
Part I Philosophy of Money 23
2 The Price of Freedom 27
Excursus on Social Quantities: Simmel before Durkheim and Tarde 39
3 Functional Values and Personal Worth 43
Excursus on Cultural Capitalism: Simmel with Weber and Sombart 56
4 The Lifestyles of Fast Capitalism 59
Excursus on Class Conflict: Simmel beneath Marx and Engels 71
Part II Sociology of Metropolises 75
5 Privacy and Secrecy in Mass Society 79
Excursus on Maternal Feminism: Simmel between Marianne Weber and Gilman 91
6 The Cosmopolitan Worldview and Urban Fashion 96
Excursus on Sociological Vitalism: Simmel through Bergson and Mannheim 110
7 The Propertied and the Poor Person in the Big City 114
Excursus on Race Relations, Strangers, and Other Marginals: Simmel behind Park and Du Bois 126
Part III Cultures of Modernity 133
8 The Ruin and Renewal of Life 137
Excursus on Sustainability and Surplus: Simmel alongside Veblen and Mauss 149
9 Adventures in Space and Time 153
Excursus on Spatiality and Temporality: Simmel after Martineau and Tocqueville 166
10 Conclusion: The Tragedy of Individuality 170
Excursus on Identity and Difference: Simmel across Mead and Husserl 185
Suggestions for Further Reading 188
References 190
Index 202