Georg Simmel on the manifestation and restraint of emotions

Abstract

One of the key issues of social philosophy of the XX-XXI centuries was the relationship of individual emotions to public life. The "classics" answered this question in different ways. In the opinion of the author of the article, the most interesting and influential approach is that of the German philosopher and sociologist Georg Simmel. The approach is ambivalent and creative. Starting from the need to take into account individual emotions, Simmel at the same time tried to show the specifics of an emotionally self-censoring modern society with its strict restrictions. In this article, based on general scientific methods, an analysis of significant works by Simmel is carried out. Strategies of emotional self-censorship or deterrence have been identified. First, the strategy of urban blasphemy or bluntness of emotions. It has been shown how this way of restraining emotions develops in conditions of cognitive overload in large cities. With the help of general scientific methods, the causes of such a phenomenon of public life, such as "self-defense" of the nervous system and social alienation have been identified. Secondly, the strategy of developing a sense of tact was analyzed. It is pointed out that, according to Zimmel, tact serves as the basis for communication and socialization and imposes a ban on the breakthrough of individual feelings into the sphere of communication. Thirdly, the article describes the strategy of monetary objectification of the emotional sphere, which is the most significant for Zimmel's creativity. Special attention in the study of this issue is paid to the analytical and critical understanding of the philosophical and sociological ideas of the work "Philosophy of Money". The author of the article carried out an independent translation of excerpts from the book, which allowed for a more detailed study of the relationship between money, emotions and desires. The elements of the scientific novelty of the article include the identification of the specifics of "monetary cynicism" as a special variant of the objectification of the emotional sphere.