The Postmodernist Features In Simmel' Social Research Methodology

German sociologist Simmel is the most ignored founder of modern sociology and he is also one of the most controversial scholars. It is urgently necessary to make an intensive research on his theoretical heritage which is full of wisdom and insight. By systematic arrangement, collation and interpretation of Simmel's writings, and also by learning from the research results of scholars at home and abroad, this article summarizes Simmel's postmodern features in social research methodology both in thought and in practice, thus illustrates that Simmel can be seen as an early representative and initial explorer in postmodern paradigm which is one of the four paradigms in social research. From complicated postmodern social theories and practice, the article firstly summarizes the main characteristics in ontology, epistemology, methodology, axiology and expression approach; then it correspondingly explains Simmel's strong postmodern methodology features by focusing on the following four aspects: social constructionist viewpoints, alternative and marginal issues, the orientation of methodological pluralism, free styles of representation. By comparing the similarities between Simmel and several representative figures of postmodernism, this article further proves the postmodern characteristics in Simmel's theory and affirms his contribution to the social research methodology. The main findings of the study go as the following six respects:First, Features of postmodernism:①ondemning the logic and consequences of modernity with a strong tendency towards deconstructionism of aestheticism;②substituting realism with constructivism, holding the position of constructivism in the ontology;③denying objective truth and criticizing technological reason, sticking to skepticism position in epistemology;④having the tendency of opposing totalization and meta-narration, challenging all kinds of determinism, dogmatism and everything generally thought correct or privileged;⑤paying attention to alternative and marginal issues, advocating respect for differences and alternative thinking, holding a relativism position in the theory of value;⑥advocating and adhering to the perspective and the methodology of pluralism;⑦emphasizing the importance of discourse analysis, committing to exploring how language participates in definition, classification and control process;⑧advocating the openness of presentation, sticking to liberal style of statement.Second, the strong constructivism color in Simmel's social conceptions. He put forward that instead of being a stereotyped or completed entity, society, with its social duality and procedure, was a relational network of personal interaction in constant duplication, remodeling and transformation. In his opinion, the multiplicity of the social world was constructed by social members' inner world and their interaction. Social fact was not given or completely objective, instead, with very strong elements of social construction, it greatly depended on people's attitude. Scientific knowledge was not an objective reflection or true representation of physical objects, but something constructed by human being with certain symbol system and something created from people's mental activities. The constructivism in ontology and the subjectivism (and skepticism) in epistemology in Simmel's social conceptions are obvious. All his features are identical with postmodernism claim.Third, distinctive research issues in social study. Simmel deliberately avoided great projects concerning meta-narration. He devoted to the research of minor issues of trivial, marginal problems which were ignored by sociological research. His social research issues are very wide and numerous, mainly dealing with micro individual interaction in daily life, supplying rich knowledge and insight of "microscopic narration" or "local knowledge". He studied modernity from the view of individual inner experiences, creatively analyzed consumption culture and many other aspects which were, in his time, alternative and rejected although hot topics in recent social research. Simmel's research choice was deeply favored by postmodernism.Fourth, distinctive pluralism position in social research methodology. Simmel called for interdisciplinary perspective, opposing single method. Relationship was an important analysis unit. He emphasized the analysis principles of multi-factor interaction and actively explored the application of aesthetic observation and explanation. In his view, never had existed a universal method with which social study results could be easily obtained. Neither had he, like Emile Durkheim, come up with a system of specific rules in social research methodology. In this regard, Simmel is similar to postmodernist Paul Feyerabend, who advocated "anything goes" and "against method".Fifth, free style academic essay in presentation of his social research findings. Simmel tended to liberalism in presentation. A distinctive feature in his writings is landscape perspective and "fragmentation style against totalization and systematization. He adopted similar strategy of deconstruction text. His text had the features of ambiguity, incompleteness and uncertainty. He highlighted differences, crack, conflict, and etc., defamiliarization of the familiar, revealed hidden points in routine and matters of course by means of breaking traditional rules and bypass attack, focused on minor marginal parts on the surface. In short, Simmel's style of presentation is very similar to that of postmodernism.Sixth, a theory intricately inherited in sociological research domain. In Europe, great differences exist in the circulation of Simmel's theory, while in America, the comprehension of his thoughts has been confined to certain aspects for a long time, and his rich and colorful academic heritage has been ignored. In fact, there is an obvious family resemblance between Simmel and the famous postmodernists, such as Jacques Derrida, Foucault, Lyotard and Baudrillarld. In postmodern theories, many of Simmel's ideals and claim have been revived in an ampliative and exaggerated way. Some important features of postmodernism can all be found in Simmel's theory. Therefore, we have enough reason to regard Simmel as a pioneer and early explorer of postmodernism paradigm in sociology research.In conclusion, this paper argues that there is actually a certain internal logical consistency in Simmel's sociological methodology, which seems to be lack of concentration. His theory is of great value of illumination and inspiration to today's social studies.