Simmel on the war for national spirit and cosmopolitan culture.

This article examines German sociologist Georg Simmel’s public responses to World War I and the war’s broader impact on his sociological and philosophical thought. Initially aligning with nationalist sentiments that framed the conflict as a defense of German Kultur against Western materialism, Simmel’s perspective evolved toward a more reflective cosmopolitanism emphasizing European solidarity beyond narrow nationalism. Key themes in his wartime writings include the critique of Western hubris, the significance of death and finitude in modern culture, and the tensions between individuality and the homogenizing forces of money, law, and violence in international relations. Simmel’s thought ultimately envisions a future European order grounded in ethical reciprocity and cultural distinctiveness, while critically engaging with emerging global powers such as the United States.