Peníze v moderní kultuře a jiné eseje

Essays by German philosopher, sociologist, and cultural theorist Georg Simmel (1858–1918) on fashion, the stranger, hostility, shame, discretion, the role of money, and conflict in modern culture paint a unique picture of modern society, taking an unusual perspective on everyday phenomena.
Simmel is interesting and still relevant because of his insightful and unique analysis and critique of modernity. Yet his conception of modernity extends far beyond the historical framework of the late 19th century. His view of contemporary society is based on an analysis of the mentality of the urban dweller, characterised by neuroticism, which is itself a reaction to the constantly changing inputs and stimuli that cannot be coped with in traditional ways. This gives rise to the “blasé attitude”, indifference of modern man, which is a form of self-defence against these influences, an escape through consumption (particularly fashion and lifestyle), and the aestheticisation of life. However, all of this is only made possible because of money as a model of social interaction, a symbol, a means of simplifying market relations, a constant measure of value, a mobilisation and condensation of values.