Simmel’s Idea Of The Tragic

This dissertation is a reconstruction of Simmel’s idea of the tragic.I attempt to show that Simmel’s concept of the tragic—understood as the inherent potential of a event or a process—is a common motif throughout Simmel’s metaphysical,cultural,and social writings.I suggest that,on the one hand,Simmel’s thinking on the tragic falls within the tradition of German classical writers who discuss tragedy and art at a metaphysical and existential level;on the other hand,Simmel’s re-formulation of a more empirical and mundane conception of fate can be considered an important contribution to this tradition.In early German romanticism and idealism,the modern concept of the tragic was invented,and tragedy and the tragic were integrated into broad philosophical systems,becoming a site to talk about issues such as freedom,agency,and ethics.The Sociological aesthetic approach enables Simmel to translate the tragic from abstract metaphysics or grand historical narratives to daily social and cultural scenes.By emphasizing the immanence of the tragic,Simmel have found life,cultural and social processes characterised by tragic conflicts.Unlike those who believe that tragedy does not provide practical ethical guidance,Simmel tried to find a way out of the tragic dilemma of modern culture at the individual level by re-conceiving fate.According to Simmel,modern fate is no longer a destiny that is high above and weighs on human beings,but in the daily life of individuals.In the individual fate,daily occurrences can be regarded as events and take on meaning,thus decisively affecting our thoughts and actions.Making one’ s own fate is suggested as way out of modern tragedy of culture.Simmel provides us with a way to understand modern tragedy,a way to see tragedy in different fields such as art,philosophy,social and cultural life while tentative to the differences in different domains.Examining Simmel’s concept of the tragic not only opens up a new vista for us to understand Simmel’s thoughts as a whole,but also provides us with important intellectual resources for thinking about tragedy and fate in contemporary times.