Formal similarity of social position creates solidarity regardless of personal character
Evidence
This process, quite apart from all bonds based on shared substantive interests, will often lead to actual relations between the elements of any two—or of many—groups that have been made alike in this way. One observes this, for example, in the international sympathy that aristocrats hold for one another. To an astonishing degree, these feelings of solidarity are independent of the specific character of the individuals concerned, a matter that is otherwise decisive in determining personal attraction and repulsion. — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 595
Categorization
- XREF: Aristocratic internationalism parallels Simmel’s later claim in The Stranger about the objective freedom of those with shared formal positions. — connects to: Unequal distance to a common head rigidly differentiates subordinates — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 332; Pretended sociable equality is art-like play, not a lie, until reality intrudes — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 378; Nobility uniquely synthesized collective standardization with individual freedom — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 521 (+17 more)
Related
- Identical interaction forms recur across radically different social groups (similarity 0.83)
- Antillean comparison is governed by a social rather than a personal fiction. (similarity 0.79)
- Forms of interaction retain identity across varied contents and historical settings (similarity 0.78)
Broader Connections
- Identical interaction forms recur across radically different social groups
#expands(0.70) — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 198