Synopses & Reviews
This volume focuses on Georg Simmel the 'sociologist', but it deals with more than his 'sociology' narrowly conceived. Against many previous English and American presentations of Simmel as an unsystematic theorist, this volume demonstrates that he operated with a systematic dialectical method in the analysis of social and cultural forms. Examples of social forms - including fashion, the secret and money - are presented as exemplifications of this method. Simmel's 'relational epistemology', his use of 'fictions' ('the philosophy of as if') and his largely neglected evolutionary thinking are also examined as aspects of his method. The volume locates Simmel's work historically, including the implications of his 'marginality' to the academy. The continuities seen in Simmel's work include his continuous concern with the dialectical tension between 'subjective culture' and 'objective culture'. The volume concludes with a reassessment of Simmel's relevance today.
Review
'What this book represents is an important attempt to reflect across Simmel's work. It attempts to find unity in the fragmentation and, most importantly, it gathers Simmel's thoughts in a way that affords and suggests a range of possibilities for continuing our explorations into his work.' - Berfrois
Synopsis
This book shows that a dialectical conceptual model underpins Georg Simmel's writings. The book provides key examples of social forms including fashion, the secret and money as exemplifications of this method. The volume concludes with a reassessment of Simmel's relevance today."
About the Author
Henry Schermer was formerly an honorary Research Fellow at Staffordshire University, UK. He previously taught sociology at the Prague University of Economics, Czech Republic. He has a longstanding interest in Georg Simmel, and has also written on The Velvet Revolution.
David Jary is Emeritus Professor at Staffordshire University, UK. He has written widely on social theory and his publications include Improving What is Learned at University (with J. Brennan et al).
Table of Contents
PART I: SIMMEL'S METHOD AND THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF HIS WORK
1. Interaction, Form and the Dialectical Approach - Simmel's Analytical Conceptual Framework
2. The Historical Context of Simmel's Sociology
PART II: EXEMPLIFICATIONS
3. Fashion as a Social Form
4. The Poor Man
5. The Secret and Secret Societies
PART III: FURTHER ASPECTS OF SIMMEL'S METHOD
6. Absolute and Relative - the Operation of a Single Polarity
7. The Philosophy of the 'As If' - the Role of 'Fictions' in Science and Social Life
8. Echoes of Darwin - Simmel's Evolutionism
PART IV: THE CONTEMPORARY SIMMEL
9. The Overall Terrain and Contemporary Relevance of Simmel's Oeuvre