Georg Simmel: Three Forms of Individualism and Historical Understanding

It is a common perception that the distinction between quantitative and qualitative individualism constitutes the basis of Georg Simmel's theory of individualism. Yet, by analyzing Simmel's writings on individualism and juxtaposing them with his theory of historical understanding, this article argues that Simmel formulated three, not two, forms of individualism, although the third one appears only in his later writings. This third variant is a certain radicalization of qualitative individualism, though it is a radicalization that transcends separate individuality and moves toward the notion of totality.