Georg Simmel: First Sociologist of Modernity

An argument is presented for Georg Simmel's standing as the first sociologist of modernity, whose writings develop themes originally stated by Chales Baudelaire & later elaborated by Walter Benjamin & Jurgen Habermas. Simmel's work largely disregarded social structure, in accord with his conception of society in individualistic & phenomenological terms & his reliance on methods appropriate to this conception. Major themes of his analysis of modernity include neurathenia, the social experience of the metropolis, & the world of money & commodities; questions of fashion & style also took on importance in his thought. Simmel's examination of this question provides a resolution to the problem of excessive individualism & subjectivism. 40 References. W. H. Stoddard