BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS) IN ARCHITECTURE

THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM (ARC61303)

SYNOPSIS: REACTION PAPER (MARCH 2018)

Name: Wee Sue Wen ID No.: 0322633

Lecturer: Mr. Nicholas Tutorial Time:
Reader/Text Title: The Metropolis and Mental Life Synopsis No: 1
Author: Georg Simmel
Individualism is addressed and the behavior of metropolitan types have been talked about. The money economy
which affected the value of human perception, value of things and mental in urban city life has also been
mentioned and discussed.
Psychological studies suggest that adjustment of individual’s personality is made in order to adapt to external
stimuli. In the context, G. Simmel explains that metropolitan types are subjected to modification where individual
reacts to fluctuations in a rational manner. There is also a suggestion where the conduct of individual’s life is
within a framework of city life. However, they become less sensitive at situations so that change in surrounding
and atmosphere would not affect their reaction towards changes in daily life. Thus, metropolis which constantly
has different stimuli shows how individual react to changes. In my opinion, metropolis has reciprocal relationship
with the adaptation attitudes of individual. The punctuality plays the main role as it affects the lifestyle and pace
of the mental life, if one factor had a sudden change it will create a great impact towards the all which are
interconnected.
However, psychological thinking of individual differs when money economy is involved. Relationship and
reaction of intellectualistic person differs from the rational method where things are weighed by their quality and
individuality in the presence of money. Intellectual relationship deals with individual as numbers. In short,
individual is run by the modern calculating mind as money is defining equalities and inequalities of precision. On
the other hand, blasé refers to the habitual lifestyle that often happens in small town. They rest more on feelings
and emotional relationship. The blasé attitude refers to the mental dullness and indifferent towards distinctions.
The presence of money in metropolis makes social interaction lesser among individuals as they categorize
people into different levels of economic class.
As a conclusion, the different aspects present in metropolis heavily affects the built environment as dwellers
react to those stimuli. It is important for future planning of the metropolis to be more rationalized and balanced
to improve social interaction between people instead of creating spaces for the extremities. This also provides
the freedom to dwellers to follow their choice of life and ultimately leads to a better mental life. I think the
metropolitan’s mental shall be changed so that there is no segregation between classes due to blasé towards
money economy factor.
Word Count: 393 Mark Grade
Assessed by: Date Page No.