David Beer is Professor of Sociology at the University of York, UK. His previous books include The Data Gaze (2018), Metric Power (2016) and Punk Sociology (2014).

• Chapter 1. Introduction: Contextualising Simmel’s Thinking.- Part I: The Pursuit of Inspiration.- Chapter 2. Lowering a Plumb Line.- Chapter 3. The Emerging Figure.- Part II: The View of Life.- Chapter 4. Life as Transcendence.- Chapter 5. The Turn Toward Ideas.- Chapter 6. Death and Immortality.- Chapter 7. The Law of the Individual.- Chapter 8. Conclusion: Working with and Using Simmel’s Ideas.

“Simmel’s interests were wide-ranging. He could find inspiration in all sorts of subjects and topics, and Beer shows in beautiful detail how extraordinarily original Simmel’s world and work actually were. He brings to light the connections between thinking and writing, between form and content, between systematic arguments and passing remarks.” (Daniel Chernilo, Issue (1-4), European Journal of Social Theory, 2020)

David Beer is Professor of Sociology at the University of York, UK. His previous books include The Data Gaze (2018), Metric Power (2016) and Punk Sociology (2014).

• Chapter 1. Introduction: Contextualising Simmel’s Thinking.- Part I: The Pursuit of Inspiration.- Chapter 2. Lowering a Plumb Line.- Chapter 3. The Emerging Figure.- Part II: The View of Life.- Chapter 4. Life as Transcendence.- Chapter 5. The Turn Toward Ideas.- Chapter 6. Death and Immortality.- Chapter 7. The Law of the Individual.- Chapter 8. Conclusion: Working with and Using Simmel’s Ideas.

“Simmel’s interests were wide-ranging. He could find inspiration in all sorts of subjects and topics, and Beer shows in beautiful detail how extraordinarily original Simmel’s world and work actually were. He brings to light the connections between thinking and writing, between form and content, between systematic arguments and passing remarks.” (Daniel Chernilo, Issue (1-4), European Journal of Social Theory, 2020)

David Beer is Professor of Sociology at the University of York, UK. His previous books include The Data Gaze (2018), Metric Power (2016) and Punk Sociology (2014).

• Chapter 1. Introduction: Contextualising Simmel’s Thinking.- Part I: The Pursuit of Inspiration.- Chapter 2. Lowering a Plumb Line.- Chapter 3. The Emerging Figure.- Part II: The View of Life.- Chapter 4. Life as Transcendence.- Chapter 5. The Turn Toward Ideas.- Chapter 6. Death and Immortality.- Chapter 7. The Law of the Individual.- Chapter 8. Conclusion: Working with and Using Simmel’s Ideas.

“Simmel’s interests were wide-ranging. He could find inspiration in all sorts of subjects and topics, and Beer shows in beautiful detail how extraordinarily original Simmel’s world and work actually were. He brings to light the connections between thinking and writing, between form and content, between systematic arguments and passing remarks.” (Daniel Chernilo, Issue (1-4), European Journal of Social Theory, 2020)