From Metaphysics as Dogma to Metaphysics as Life: Georg Simmel as a Process Philosopher
Published in Process Studies, 2010, vol 38.2 Fall-Winter, 253–278.
This essay addresses the process philosophy of the German fin-de-siècle philosopher and sociologist Georg Simmel.... more This essay addresses the process philosophy of the German fin-de-siècle philosopher and sociologist Georg Simmel. While Simmel’s contribution to socio- logical process analysis has been widely acknowledged, his more subtle philosoph- ical contributions have largely gone unnoticed. In the essay, Simmel’s philosophi- cal process thinking is discussed by focusing on three themes. The first is what he calls his “relativistic” mode of thinking, a way of considering entities in terms of processes and dynamic relations. The second one is his Lebensphilosophie, life- philosophy, philosophy that tries to view life as such in its continuous, fluctuat- ing becoming. In the third section, Simmel’s view of philosophy itself as process is discussed. For Simmel, philosophy is not cut up in crystallized notions, systems, or sublime results, but amounts to process. Therefore what philosophy is can be specified only within philosophical practices; philosophy cannot be defined before engaging in the actual practice of doing philosophy.