Simmel

Thomas Kemple is Professor of Sociology at the University of British Columbia.

• Illustrations vii Abbreviations viiiPreface and Acknowledgements xi1 Introduction: The Problem of Fitting in and Standing Out 1Excursus on Social Evolution: Simmel without Spencer and Freud 19Part I Philosophy of Money 232 The Price of Freedom 27Excursus on Social Quantities: Simmel before Durkheim and Tarde 393 Functional Values and Personal Worth 43Excursus on Cultural Capitalism: Simmel with Weber and Sombart 564 The Lifestyles of Fast Capitalism 59Excursus on Class Conflict: Simmel beneath Marx and Engels 71Part II Sociology of Metropolises 755 Privacy and Secrecy in Mass Society 79Excursus on Maternal Feminism: Simmel between Marianne Weber and Gilman 916 The Cosmopolitan Worldview and Urban Fashion 96Excursus on Sociological Vitalism: Simmel through Bergson and Mannheim 1107 The Propertied and the Poor Person in the Big City 114Excursus on Race Relations, Strangers, and Other Marginals: Simmel behind Park and Du Bois 126Part III Cultures of Modernity 1338 The Ruin and Renewal of Life 137Excursus on Sustainability and Surplus: Simmel alongside Veblen and Mauss 1499 Adventures in Space and Time 153Excursus on Spatiality and Temporality: Simmel after Martineau and Tocqueville 16610 Conclusion: The Tragedy of Individuality 170Excursus on Identity and Difference: Simmel across Mead and Husserl 185Suggestions for Further Reading 188References 190Index 202

‘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