Georg Simmel: Money Vehicle Motion

Posted by admin on Sunday, May 17, 2015

Philosopher Georg Simmel Money Quotation saying, oh so philosophically, that capital has value only when in motion. Georg Simmel said:
 

 

“Money is nothing but the vehicle for a movement in which everything else that is not in motion is completely extinguished” — Georg Simmel

 

 

In this quote, sociologist Georg Simmel is characterizing the nature and role of money within economic systems. His view seems to be that money primarily serves as a medium that facilitates constant activity, transactions and circulation. Simmel implies that when money is actively moving through the exchange of goods and services, the economy functions smoothly.

However, if money were to cease flowing and come to a stop or be hoarded, economic activity would grind to a halt and other values would be “extinguished.” The quote conveys Simmel’s perspective that money is essentially a lubricant that allows continuous interaction and productivity between economic actors, and that a lack of monetary fluidity and flow would cripple commerce and production.

He sees money as a vehicle for sustaining perpetual economic motion rather than an end in itself.

Categories: philosophical Tagged:georg simmel