<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>The aim of this article is to discuss the character of regularities occurring in informal social bonds, be they friendships, romantic partnerships, competitions or rivalries. Since Simmel’s work is emblematic for the theme of social norms involved in durable informal bonds, I take his original concept of forms of association as my point of reference. The argument I propose challenges several of Simmel’s assumptions, namely his objectivist stance, his formal sociology and the autopoiesis of systems of reciprocal effects. Based on this critical rereading of Simmel, I introduce the concept of “socially constructed typical bonds” as a more dynamic and versatile alternative to the static patterns of forms of association. By bringing a subjectivist turn (inspired by Berger, Luckmann and Butler) to Simmel’s forms of association, I argue for the recognition of the blurry, diverse and contradictory understandings of the typical social bond as the ground for relational normativity.</p></abstract>

The aim of this article is to discuss the character of regularities occurring in informal social bonds, be they friendships, romantic partnerships, competitions or rivalries. Since Simmel’s work is emblematic for the theme of social norms involved in durable informal bonds, I take his original concept of forms of association as my point of reference. The argument I propose challenges several of Simmel’s assumptions, namely his objectivist stance, his formal sociology and the autopoiesis of systems of reciprocal effects. Based on this critical rereading of Simmel, I introduce the concept of “socially constructed typical bonds” as a more dynamic and versatile alternative to the static patterns of forms of association. By bringing a subjectivist turn (inspired by Berger, Luckmann and Butler) to Simmel’s forms of association, I argue for the recognition of the blurry, diverse and contradictory understandings of the typical social bond as the ground for relational normativity.

The Dimension of Normativity in Informal Social Relations

Studia Universitatis Babes-Bolyai Sociologia

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

{"article-title":"The Dimension of Normativity in Informal Social Relations"}

The aim of this article is to discuss the character of regularities occurring in informal social bonds, be they friendships, romantic partnerships,...

The Dimension of Normativity in Informal Social Relations

Published Online: Feb 10, 2018

Page range: 99 - 117

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/subbs-2017-0013

Keywords
social bonds, form of sociation, normativity, phenomenology

© 2017 Greti-Iulia Ivana, published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

The Dimension of Normativity in Informal Social Relations

Published Online: Feb 10, 2018

Page range: 99 - 117

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/subbs-2017-0013

Keywordssocial bonds, form of sociation, normativity, phenomenology

© 2017 Greti-Iulia Ivana, published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
social bonds, form of sociation, normativity, phenomenology