“Art and knowledge in Simmel’s thought and writing style”

Simmel’s sociological approach and gnoseological conception are often criticized for their aestheticized character and lack of a systematic method. I investigate the specific meaning of the “artistic” approach in Simmel’s gnoseological conception in order to outline what could be considered his implicit method of analyzing cultural and social phenomena. Subsequently, I address Simmel’s genre-related choices and writing style in order to explore their relationship with his methodological and gnoseological thought. I also consider possible links between specific aspects of Simmel’s theory of knowledge and a few elements of early German Romanticism. Finally, I suggest possible parallels between Simmel’s gnoseological and methodological thought and practice and recent epistemological approaches in human sciences.