Introduction two

Simmel as a puzzling figure for contemporary sociology

Bernard S. Phillips

pp. 9-12

in: Michael Kaern, Bernard S. Phillips, Robert S. Cohen (eds), Georg Simmel and contemporary sociology, Berlin, Springer, 1990

Abstract

If Simmel remains a puzzling figure, that has a heuristic of its own. As we proceed to probe the puzzle of Simmel, we can gain insight into problems of the discipline which confront us today. Authors appearing in this volume bring with them the puzzles of twentieth-century sociology as well as twentieth-century society. And if Simmel was broad enough to encompass problems relating to philosophical assumptions, sociological methodology, culture, individuality and change, then he speaks to contemporary sociologists. Perhaps what we need most in the discipline today is to confront more persistently and systematically the kinds of fundamental issues which Simmel faced and grappled with if we are to move forward.

Cited authors

Simmel Georg