While the stream of life flows through those individuals (more accurately: flows as these individuals), it dams up in each one of them and becomes a sharply outlined form. Each individual then asserts itself as something complete against other individuals of its kind as well as against the total environment, and does not tolerate any blurring of its boundary. Here lies an ultimate, metaphysically problematic condition of life: that it is boundless continuity and at the same time boundary-determined ego.

DEFINE: Defines the metaphysical paradox at the heart of life: continuous flow versus individuated egos.

Georg Simmel, on individuality and social…, loc. 811