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Georg Simmel, 1858-1918

Georg Simmel, 1858-1918. Simmel’s Life and Career. Berlin; family life Private lecturer at University of Berlin Academic marginalization Anti-Semitism Lack of systematic theory Disregard for academic conventions Popularity with students Major theme: social interactions.

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Georg Simmel, 1858-1918

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  1. Georg Simmel, 1858-1918

  2. Simmel’s Life and Career • Berlin; family life • Private lecturer at University of Berlin • Academic marginalization • Anti-Semitism • Lack of systematic theory • Disregard for academic conventions • Popularity with students • Major theme: social interactions

  3. Social Interactions • Focus on everyday life • Identify underlying forms • Distinction between content and forms • Example: conflict • Example: domination

  4. Simmel on Conflict • Positive consequences • Intense over impersonal interests • Generates group solidarity • Conflict among similars is most bitter

  5. Simmel on Numbers • Dyads • Triads • Larger groups

  6. Simmel on Modernity • “The Metropolis and Mental Life” • Overwhelming stimuli • Coping strategies • Tragedy of modern culture • Objective and subjective culture • Overall take on modernity: ambivalent and ambiguous

  7. “Sociability” • Impulse to sociability • “play-form of association” • Balancing act • Manifestations of sociability, e.g. coquetry • Conversation: an end in itself • Transformation of daily life into “artistic play”

  8. In-Class Writing (open book) Does the social scene in Palm Beach described by Dunne represent “sociability” as Simmel defines it? Why or why not?

  9. Exercise Come up with a specific example of sociability from your own life experience. • How does your example fit Simmel’s definition of sociability? • How common is sociability today? • Is sociability increasing, decreasing, or stable over time?

  10. Discussion • Is Palm Beach society an example of sociability? • Your examples of sociability • Frequency of sociability • Trends in sociability

  11. Third Party Roles • Divide and rule • Rejoicing third party • Nonpartisan mediator

  12. Domination • Mutual influence of superordinate and subordinate • Example: waitresses

  13. Simmel on Money • Modern life takes form consistent with nature of money • No intrinsic meaning: means of exchange • Facilitates certain forms of interaction, leads to their dominance

  14. Consequences of Money • Increased personal freedom • Impersonal interactions • Emphasis on calculation and intellect • Speeds up tempo of life • Specialization and personal development Prostitution: extreme example of negative effects of money on interaction

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