The narrow circle and the large circle yield equal life chances
Evidence
Perhaps one could symbolically express this complex of relations by saying that the narrower circle constitutes in some measure an intermediate proportionality between individuality and the expanded group. Thus the narrower circle, closed upon itself and requiring no other factor, can be seen to result in the same outcome of life chances as results from the conjunction of individuality and the large circle. — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 680
Categorization
- DEFINE: Formalizes Simmel’s key equation: intermediate circle ≈ individuality + expanded group, a compressible formula for the essay.
- XREF: connects to: Richer individuals need wider choice circles to satisfy their specific needs — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 646; Extreme social control occurs in both the widest and narrowest circles simultaneously — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 641; Greatly widened circles permit misanthropic detachment and extreme individualism — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 648
Related
- Larger social circles encourage individual freedom; smaller ones restrict it (similarity 0.84)
- Richer individuals need wider choice circles to satisfy their specific needs (similarity 0.84)
- Extreme social control occurs in both the widest and narrowest circles simultaneously (similarity 0.81)
- Greatly widened circles permit misanthropic detachment and extreme individualism (similarity 0.80)
- Individualism of equality and individualism of inequality both require large social circles. (similarity 0.80)
- Larger social circles expand possibilities for developing unique inner lives. (similarity 0.80)
- Individuality increases as the social circle expands (similarity 0.80)
- In narrow circles individuality requires leadership or complete inner independence (similarity 0.80)
- Each person holds a constant ratio of individual to social factors (similarity 0.79)
Broader Connections
- Extreme social control occurs in both the widest and narrowest circles simultaneously
#corroborates(0.85) — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 641 - Greatly widened circles permit misanthropic detachment and extreme individualism
#corroborates(0.80) — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 648