Sociology—Research on Forms of Socialization

Author: (German) Georg Simmel, translated by Lin Rongyuan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-10-01
Features: Georg Simmel (1858-1918) was a German sociologist and philosopher. Sociology: A Study of Social Forms and The Problems of Sociology: Individual and Society are Simmel's major sociological works. In terms of length, the former is often referred to as his Great Sociology in the German sociological field, while the latter is known as his Small Sociology. In terms of writing style and content, the former belongs to pure sociology or formal sociology, while the latter falls under philosophical sociology. Simmel was a follower of existential philosophy or "philosophy of life." In both works, he deeply analyzes the fundamental characteristics of existence and elaborates on the basic features of existence that extend beyond the scope of life itself. In Great Sociology, he profoundly discusses and studies the forms of socialization and the interrelationship between individuals and society. Simmel's formal sociology is most prominently reflected in this work.