Widely shared similarities cool connections into a sense of contingency

Evidence

That is, with the stranger one has only certain more general qualities in common, whereas the relation with organically connected persons is based on the similarity of just those specific traits which differentiate them from the merely universal. … A similarity so widely shared could just as easily unite each person with every possible other. This, too, is evidently a way in which a relationship includes both nearness and remoteness simultaneously. To the extent to which the similarities assume a universal nature, the warmth of the connection based on them will acquire an element of coolness, a sense of the contingent nature of precisely this relation—the connecting forces have lost their specific, centripetal character. — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 396

Categorization

• XREF: The ‘coolness’ of universal commonality parallels the blasé attitude’s emotional flatness in the urban condition. — connects to: Shared universal traits make the stranger simultaneously near and far — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 397; Forms of interaction retain identity across varied contents and historical settings — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 202; Every analogy relies on contested judgments of which similarities are relevant — Frederick Schauer, Thinking Like a Lawyer, 176 (+3 more)

Related

• Shared universal traits make the stranger simultaneously near and far (similarity 0.86)
• The most urban-inept strangers can be the most warmly treated (similarity 0.85)
• Individualization loosens ties with the near to enable ties with the distant (similarity 0.83)
• Strangeness is a specific proportion of nearness and distance (similarity 0.81)
• The stranger embodies a simultaneous union of closeness and remoteness (similarity 0.80)
• Stranger relations rest on general commonality, not specific differences (similarity 0.80)
• Seeing a handicap makes some strangers feel licensed to intrude (similarity 0.79)
• Intimacy arises when a relation’s unique shared ingredients feel essential (similarity 0.78)

Broader Connections

• Shared universal traits make the stranger simultaneously near and far #corroborates (0.30) — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 397
• Forms of interaction retain identity across varied contents and historical settings #expands (0.25) — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 202
• Every analogy relies on contested judgments of which similarities are relevant #qualifies (0.25) — Frederick Schauer, Thinking Like a Lawyer, 176