Simmel (Paperback)

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