Schopenhauer's will to life and Nietzsche's will to power doubtless lie in the direction of concrete fulfillment of this idea of life; though Schopenhauer feels boundless continuity to be more decisive, Nietzsche stresses more individuality encased in form. What is decisive, however, what constitutes life, is the absolute unity of both. This insight has escaped them, perhaps because they restrict the process of self-transcendence to the activity of the will. Actually, it holds for all dimensions of vital movement.

XREF: Relates to Simmel's broader philosophical project reconciling individual and social forms, and echoes Nietzsche/Schopenhauer debates over will.

DEFINE: Introduces a concept of life defined by the unity of two opposing poles — bounded individuality and boundless continuity — rather than either alone.

Georg Simmel, on individuality and social…, loc. 824