From value to consumption. A social-theoretical perspective on Simmel's Philosophie des Geldes

Re-interpreting Simmel's work on money as an attempt to develop a critical sociology of consumption from a relativist theory of value, this paper illu strates the extent to which it may be seen as something more, and different than, sociological impressionism. The modern social space of valuation is chiefly defined by the development of money economy within metropolitan set tings. This allows for the public commensurability of values and pushes for their private incompatibility. Subjectivism is heightened in so far as ind ividuals' capacity to sustain difference is vital to social, objective exch ange. Contrary to neo-classical economics, the appreciation of individual c hoice entails for Simmel a critical appraisal of the social conditions of i ts existence which results in a discussion of the risks associated with the pressure to perform as autonomous choosers. The paper concludes with a vie w on what may be a Simmelian sociology of consumption, one which enriches t he classical focus on social distinction with a critical concern for the mo dern conditions of valuation and self-constitution. Fashion and style may b e conceived of as techniques of consumption that, embodying particular comb inations of difference and indifference, help govern the modern world of go ods. In this view, these mundane practices have the potential to function a s a balancing practice of self-constitution, taking place between the indif ference of the market which allows individualization, and the risk that the individuality thus constituted remains empty, a reproducer of commensurabi lity unable to bestow value on things.