Simmel - Modernity Flashcards
Modernity
sociology is self consciousness of modernity
shift from agriculture-industrialized
secularization
increasing application science + tech to everyday lives
individualism
Identity
to find identity is to look at social connections
unique constellations of social interactions
intersection of communities you belong to is how you define social identity
modernity + identity in the Web of Group Affiliations
change in nature of social networks as we move from traditional to modern society
implications for social identity
Traditional: all know each other, dense social network
Modern: family, everyone knows each other, one person in family knows a neighbour, one belongs to another group, so on
Constellations rather than social network
Secularization, advanced division of labour, dense to loose social networks
modernity + identity in the Web of Group Affiliations
Implications: in traditional, slotted, monitor through communication
In modern: one way with family, one with sports team, one with voluntarily
Greater fluidity: more personnas, called upon to perform diff roles
Does living in these conditions mean we have richer personalities?
creates unprecedented challenges – social actors, one face to family, one with friends, one with other groups, but where is the real me if I’m so fragmented, what is the core
He’s playing on dual sense of integrity: in terms of social roles, we disintegrate, we are being pulled apart
New challenges is the challenge of maintaining moral integrity in a society where we could become 2-faced + hypocritical
modernity + identity in the Web of Group Affiliations
How can we maintain our core integrity, if we’re being pulled in diff directions
“Most of us do not possess sufficiently developed steadfastness to steer our companions to our own purpose” – Epictetus
sociologists would say associate with ppl who will help you become the person you want to be
risking popularity: core not necessarily bending to will of others
