The principle of emergentism means that higher level of conscious properties emerge from lower level. This idea has been applied by George simmel to explore and explain the micro level of social reality or sociology.
Simmel, in his work, believes in the bottom up approach in the formation of social structure and reality.
Idea of society by George simmel
George simmel was well known for his contribution to micro, formal and urban sociology.
In his study and work, he claimed that society is the web of intricate interrelationship of individual relations or interactions.
Hence, the main task of sociologists to study and explore the specific, permanent forms and patterns of interactions at the individual level.
George Simmel Vs Emile Durkheim
Both Simmel and Durkheim have opposing views regarding social reality or structure. As per Durkheim, as a macro sociologists, individual, initially, enters in the already existing larger social structure that, in turn, acts externally and shapes institutions and members as per the social order.
Simply, individuals have no role in origin or formation of social structure but they have to be obedient or behave accordingly.
On the other hand, George Simmel, who is micro sociologists, have other view. He accepts that higher level of social reality or structure always emerges from lower level of social interactions and people produces it by the means of specific interactions.
In other words, people produce objects that links to many individuals and eventually, become a larger system that, in turn, exert coercive force on individual who produced.
Last words on the principle of emergentism
Finally, on the basis of the principle of emergentism, George Simmel understood the emergent nature of social reality at the higher level. Further, he asserts that the process of emergence repeat itself unceasingly
Social geometry of George Simmel
Social geometry of Simmel with numbers and distance is a means to know the possible impacts on the nature and quality of interactions of groups with rising and decreasing numbers and distance on the given relations and interactions. For that, he studied interactions of individuals with two or more than individuals.
Explaining Dyad and triad
To explain the impacts increasing and decreasing the numbers of individuals on the nature and quality of interactions, George Simmel coined certain terms called “Dyad and triad”
Dyad means interactions with two individuals like in family. And, “Triad” means interactions with more than two but less than three individuals.
While studying, he observed notable things or outcomes with dyad and triad. He realised how do interactions change with adding even a single individual in a group?
Changes in emotions and stability of group
The degree of individuality, responsibility, emotionality, solidarity in the group of two individuals, grows compare to triad. But, at the same time, stability in the group of two remains weaker point due to lack of dispute settlement mechanism or mediator.
In simple terms, larger the group, lesser the threat to the stability and vice-versa. Whereas, responsibility, emotionality, and individuality get compromised with larger numbers.
Distance and group dynamics
In his work, “The philosophy of money” he said that the value of something is determined by its distance from the actor. So, the distance between interactants should not be too close nor too far.
Instead, objects should attainable, but, only with great effort, are the most valuable.
He further says that increasing size of the group weakens the bonds and solidarity, and that might leads to differentiation or disintegration of groups. In short, this is basic understanding of social geometry of Simmel.
In this article on principle of emergentism and social geometry, I have presented ideas and views of micro Sociologist George Simmel.
Dilectical approach of George Simmel