GeorgSimmel

GEORG SIMMEL (1858-1918)

WHO WAS GEORG SIMMEL?
Simmel has long been denied 'founding father' status in the sociological tradition. In part this was because his writings did not appear to form a systematic theoretical model. Moreover his work was largely perceived to be more appropriate to a psychological rather than to a sociological approach. The dominant tendency within sociology during the greater part of this century has been for 'grand theory' not only within sociology but within social science in general. This emphasis effectively excluded the work of Simmel from the 'canon' of sociology. Rather than seeking to erect a grand theory Simmel sought to describe and explain micro-social phenomenon. The titles of Simmel's writings betray Simmel's interest in the minutea of social reality. Titles such as: 'Door & Bridge'; 'The Sociology of the Face'. Simmel's work can be classified as micro-sociological in this sense.