(1858-1918) German sociologist who attempted to construct a formal system of sociology, abstracted from history and the detail of human experience, in Soziologie, Untersuchungen über die Formen der Vergesellschaftung/Sociology, Investigations into the Forms of Socialization 1908. In Die Philosophie des Geldes/The Philosophy of Money 1900, he explored the effects of the money economy on human behavior. He also wrote essays on aspects of culture and society.
Simmel was professor at Strasburg University 1914–18.