What do you think?
Rate this book
Loneliness in Philosophy, Psychology, and Literature
Drawing on the fields of psychology, literature, and philosophy, Loneliness in Philosophy, Psychology, and Literature argues that loneliness has been the universal concern of mankind since the Greek myths and dramas, the dialogues of Plato, and the treatises of Aristotle. Author Ben Lazare Mijuskovic, whose insights are culled from both his theoretical studies and his practical experiences, contends that loneliness has constituted a universal theme of Western thought from the Hellenic age into the contemporary period. In Loneliness in Philosophy, Psychology, and Literature , he shows how man has always felt alone and that the meaning of man is loneliness. Presenting both a discussion and a philosophical inquiry into the nature of loneliness, Mijuskovic cites examples from more than one hundred writers on loneliness, including Erich Fromm, Frieda Fromm-Reichmann, Clark Moustakas, Rollo May, and James Howard in psychology; Thomas Hardy, Joseph Conrad, James Joyce, Thomas Wolfe and William Golding in literature; and Descartes, Kant, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, and Sartre in philosophy. Insightful and comprehensive, Loneliness in Philosophy, Psychology, and Literature demonstrates that loneliness is the basic nature of humans and is an unavoidable condition that all must face. European Review, 21:2 (May, 2013), 309-311. Ben Mijuskovic, Loneliness in Philosophy, Psychology, and Literature (Bloomington, iUniverse. 2012). Ben Lazare Mijuskovic offers in his book a very different approach to loneliness. According to him, far from being an occasional or temporary phenomenon, loneliness—or better the fear of loneliness—is the strongest motivational drive in human beings. He argues that “following the replenishment of air, water, nourishment, and sleep, the most insistent and immediate necessity is man desire to escape his loneliness,” to avoid the feeling of existential, human isolation” (p xxx). The Leibnizian image of the monad—as a self-enclosed “windowless” being—gives an acute portrait of this oppressive prison. To support this thesis, Mijuskovic uses an interdisciplinary approach--philosophy, psychology, and literature—through which the “picture of man as continually fighting to escape the quasi-solipsistic prison of his frightening solitude” reverberates. Besides insisting on the primacy of our human concern to struggle with the spectre of loneliness, Mijuskovic has sought to account for the reasons why this is the case. The core of his argumentation relies on a theory of consciousness. In Western thought three dominant models can be (a) the self-consciousness or reflexive model; (b) the empirical or behavioral model; and (c) the intentional or phenomenological model. According to the last two models, it is difficult, if not inconceivable, to understand how loneliness is even possible. Only the theory that attributes a reflexive nature to the powers of the mind can adequately explain loneliness. The very constitution of our consciousness determines our confinement. “When a human being successfully ‘reflects’ on his self, reflexively captures his own intrinsically unique situation, he grasps (self-consciously) the nothingness of his existence as a ‘transcendental condition’—universal, necessary (a priori—structuring his entire being-in-the-world. This originary level of recognition is the ground-source for his sensory-cognitive awareness of loneliness” (p. 13). Silvana Mandolesi
100 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1979
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 16, 2016
This is a deeply profound work of approachable contemporary philosophy pulling at the taproot of human existence, from our primordial beginnings to (most likely) the ever-after. Being a Russian-blooded INFP makes such a topic easily embraceable, so there could be a bias applied here; however, as Mijuskovic carves out beautifully as his thesis spanning multiple works across many decades,
"[A]ll men are activated by a fear of aloneness or loneliness--and that consequently every human thought, passion, and action derives from this one original, ubiquitous source, or fund, of frightened, psychic energy."
While he never mentions it in this work explicitly, the use of "men" for humanity is noticeable, and one could easily surmise why his focus is on the male half of the species if you think about the history of homo sapiens in a macro-view. It should also be mentioned that I read the third edition, published in 2012, while his psychological leanings don't go far beyond Behavioralism (which I'm a huge supporter of, despite current trends to downplay the "animal" aspects of humanity. I mean do people "rut" because of Freudian-defined primal urges, or are those primal urges a result of an ubiquitous, abyssal loneliness at the core of a psyche? Such the same question with any addiction, to attempt to escape the "monadic prison" of desolate loneliness by any means available). That said, this is almost strictly examined through a Greco-Roman-Christian, Euro-centric lens, and it is especially interesting to compare "Eastern thought" as counterpoint to the entire endeavor.
From ancient "pagan" mythologies to modern psychiatry, the book examines and artfully explores the fundamental facet of mortal existence. Why, today, are people so addicted to their phones? Why do convicts in solitary confinement go insane? Why do people cheat, or even think about affairs, on their significant others? Why do so many choose suicide over painful existence? Why is the concept of death so scary to Westerners? The thread through all of this, the Occam's razor if you will, is deep loneliness in which things, be them new relationships or distracting gadgetry, religions or sports fanaticism, distractions and addictions (all addictions begin as distractions, right?) offset temporarily, and in which--quite existentially--such things as sexual orgasms, drug-induced nirvana, and religious ecstasy mollify in the most ephemeral and blissful of instances. But that's the thing, they are ephemeral. The overwhelming undercurrent within the sea of life is feeling, on a terribly subconscious level, alone.
While in my psychology program studying trauma in all its facets, I stumbled upon an interesting article where the author's main theory was that the very act of childbirth was traumatic, and hence, we are all born (to some degree) traumatized. What if that same theory was applied here? What if the very act of exploding from the envelope of mothers, that abrupt transition from the warm, watery, safe world of the womb to the harsh, bright, loud and pungent environ of Earth is, in fact, the cause of this ever-present sense of loneliness? Possibly even at the cellular level.
This book is not meant to be a depressing read. It should be uplifting to understand how every single thing we do is a means of ridding ourselves of this loneliness, and Mijuskovic clearly states that friendships--true, meaningful friendships--are the best bandage to our metapsychological wound. In the words of C. Moustakas in Loneliness:
"Loneliness is a condition of human life, an experience of being human which enables the individual to sustain, extend and deepen his humanity. Man is ultimately and forever lonely whether his loneliness is is the exquisite pain of the individual living in isolation or illness, the sense of a absence caused by a loved one's death, or piercing joy experienced in triumphant creation. I believe it is necessary for every person to recognize his loneliness, to become intensely aware that, ultimately, in every fibre of his being, man is alone--terribly, utterly alone. Efforts to overcome or escape the existential experience of loneliness can result only in self-alienation. When man is removed from a fundamental truth of his life, loneliness of individual existence, he shuts himself off from one significant avenue of his own self-growth."
Of course a more pessimistic view, from James Howard's The Flesh-Colored Cage, is:
"Each of us exists within his unique epidermal envelope as a separate thing. No other person can enter that envelope, nor can any of us escape from it. We are born in that enclosure, exist within it, and will wear it as our funeral shroud."
Either way, Mijuskovic cracks open the seal on a fascinating vault which, to me, leads into the light of true metaphysical/metapsychological awareness.
"[A]ll men are activated by a fear of aloneness or loneliness--and that consequently every human thought, passion, and action derives from this one original, ubiquitous source, or fund, of frightened, psychic energy."
While he never mentions it in this work explicitly, the use of "men" for humanity is noticeable, and one could easily surmise why his focus is on the male half of the species if you think about the history of homo sapiens in a macro-view. It should also be mentioned that I read the third edition, published in 2012, while his psychological leanings don't go far beyond Behavioralism (which I'm a huge supporter of, despite current trends to downplay the "animal" aspects of humanity. I mean do people "rut" because of Freudian-defined primal urges, or are those primal urges a result of an ubiquitous, abyssal loneliness at the core of a psyche? Such the same question with any addiction, to attempt to escape the "monadic prison" of desolate loneliness by any means available). That said, this is almost strictly examined through a Greco-Roman-Christian, Euro-centric lens, and it is especially interesting to compare "Eastern thought" as counterpoint to the entire endeavor.
From ancient "pagan" mythologies to modern psychiatry, the book examines and artfully explores the fundamental facet of mortal existence. Why, today, are people so addicted to their phones? Why do convicts in solitary confinement go insane? Why do people cheat, or even think about affairs, on their significant others? Why do so many choose suicide over painful existence? Why is the concept of death so scary to Westerners? The thread through all of this, the Occam's razor if you will, is deep loneliness in which things, be them new relationships or distracting gadgetry, religions or sports fanaticism, distractions and addictions (all addictions begin as distractions, right?) offset temporarily, and in which--quite existentially--such things as sexual orgasms, drug-induced nirvana, and religious ecstasy mollify in the most ephemeral and blissful of instances. But that's the thing, they are ephemeral. The overwhelming undercurrent within the sea of life is feeling, on a terribly subconscious level, alone.
While in my psychology program studying trauma in all its facets, I stumbled upon an interesting article where the author's main theory was that the very act of childbirth was traumatic, and hence, we are all born (to some degree) traumatized. What if that same theory was applied here? What if the very act of exploding from the envelope of mothers, that abrupt transition from the warm, watery, safe world of the womb to the harsh, bright, loud and pungent environ of Earth is, in fact, the cause of this ever-present sense of loneliness? Possibly even at the cellular level.
This book is not meant to be a depressing read. It should be uplifting to understand how every single thing we do is a means of ridding ourselves of this loneliness, and Mijuskovic clearly states that friendships--true, meaningful friendships--are the best bandage to our metapsychological wound. In the words of C. Moustakas in Loneliness:
"Loneliness is a condition of human life, an experience of being human which enables the individual to sustain, extend and deepen his humanity. Man is ultimately and forever lonely whether his loneliness is is the exquisite pain of the individual living in isolation or illness, the sense of a absence caused by a loved one's death, or piercing joy experienced in triumphant creation. I believe it is necessary for every person to recognize his loneliness, to become intensely aware that, ultimately, in every fibre of his being, man is alone--terribly, utterly alone. Efforts to overcome or escape the existential experience of loneliness can result only in self-alienation. When man is removed from a fundamental truth of his life, loneliness of individual existence, he shuts himself off from one significant avenue of his own self-growth."
Of course a more pessimistic view, from James Howard's The Flesh-Colored Cage, is:
"Each of us exists within his unique epidermal envelope as a separate thing. No other person can enter that envelope, nor can any of us escape from it. We are born in that enclosure, exist within it, and will wear it as our funeral shroud."
Either way, Mijuskovic cracks open the seal on a fascinating vault which, to me, leads into the light of true metaphysical/metapsychological awareness.
November 6, 2012
Loneliness in Philosophy, Psychology, and Literature B.L. Mijuskovic: Author
Consider a person locked inside a 6 by 6 jail cell with nowhere to go, no one to talk with and just himself to contemplate his future and every thought. Imagine what would happen if someone came over to the metal bars and attempted to have a conversation with this isolated man. What about someone locked away in a mental institution calling out and screaming hoping for someone to answer but having no idea what he/she would like as a response. The only thing this person has is the restraints that confine him from self inflicting any injuries and the thoughts running through his head yet not understanding the response that he wants. Isolated by others not by his choice. What about the child at the playground surrounded by other children yet feeling isolated and alone? Stated in the introduction of his book, Ben Mijuskovic states “ Man is social, “political,” that is to say, a communal animal. Without the desire for companionship he becomes progressively less human.” What about the prisoner or the patient all alone? If given the chance or opportunity would they prefer to be alone or with someone else? He continues to write that while man is or senses that he is alone it is not abundantly clear. The author has developed many theories that he has extensively researched in literature, philosophers quoted and psychological reasons states. The mind is fascinating to me and the various levels of thinking and our thought processes although individual to each person the author states that everyone has a certain consciousness, a “Philosophy of mind, which alone can account on various levels, existential, psychological, epistemological, phenomenological, existential, psychological and passional to name a few. He continues by linking the relationship between loneliness in literature and the theory of consciousness.
This book draws heavily on the interdisciplinary approach focusing on philosophy, literature and psychology. In chapter one the author wishes to convey the following: an image of man intrinsically alone and irredeemably lost. He continues to state that man is always struggling to escape the solipsistic (The theory that the self is the only thing that can be known and verified.) prison of his frightening solitude. Second, he will discuss a theory of consciousness that will allow the reader a better insight and understanding of why man is lonely.
Author Ben Mijuskovic asks the reader to look long and hard at the definition of loneliness and understand that man and everyone has at sometime suffered from feelings of loneliness which most try to escape but never completely. There are many people that emotionally isolate themselves in a social setting with other people. They might even withdraw into a corner and keep their feelings to themselves. Some will not accept emotional support from anyone. Some feel sad, sullen and shut down completely and refuse to communicate. It is almost like self-imposed isolation or self inflicted loneliness. These people find it hard to connect with others.
The author states that a man who is lonely feels “no delight.” He also states within Chapter One that it can be argued that the concept of loneliness is served, and I found this really quite compelling, like the idea of exile. Citing Ovid’s Tristia or Letter from Exile and stating that it can be interpreted as the expression of longing for what most of us want: Family, friends and a country, which was caused by his exile from Rome. He also states and quite succinctly that even if you overcome loneliness for a while you cannot escape or “vanquish” it for long. There are so many pieces of literature cited within this chapter that if I cite them all I would never be able to tell you about the rest. But, when the author states that a salesman whose actions purports that he knows and likes everyone, in the end will come to a startling or harsh realization that he can count on no one. There is much more elaborated on page 7 of Chapter One.
Linking the theme of loneliness within the three disciplines throughout each chapter and weaving in many stories, even going back to the Middle Ages, Roman and Greek Mythology and allowing the reader to know that loneliness is not just a thing of the present. The most compelling reference in literature is his reference to Robinson Crusoe and The History of Robinson and Friday.
Chapter 2 focuses on the awareness of loneliness. In simple terms what causes a person, any one of us to have this sense of isolation and make it possible? Referring to Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason we learn that Kant’s main purpose or aim is to determine the scope and limits of pure reason. Simply explained he wants to know exactly what reason alone can determine minus the other senses or any other faculties. He expands on this by explaining in detail the two specific distinctions: Priori and posteriori knowledge and between analytic and synthetic judgments and follows with a more detailed explanation.
He continues with his definition of the three models of consciousness, which are: the behaviorist, the intentional and the reflexive paradigms of cognitive apprehension. The author continues with the definitions of all three and links it to many great works in literature. Rather than cite every example I will instead relate which statements that I found compelling and which I agree with. For example on page 28 he states that each of us is alone, is a tragedy. When we try to reach another person, since no one wants to be alone, we often find ourselves in a situation where each person wants to dominate the other and he explains it more in detail on pages 28-30. Chapter Three is titled Loneliness and Time Consciousness followed by Types of Loneliness. He elaborates by referring to an article written by Gotesky which defines the four possible definitions of loneliness: Physical loneliness, loneliness in contrast to loneliness according to Gotesky is a state of mind, third in his analysis defines the state of feeling isolated and finally the fourth aspect of isolation is solitude which he considers a positive. He continues by discussing the main disagreements within his classificatory scheme and his defense of solitude. First he states that loneliness is not avoidable and secondly against Gotseky; who insists that this sense of aloneness was practically nonexistent before the Renaissance. He sites Nicholas Beriiaev, other well-known psychologists and returns to Gotesky with his discussion of friendship in his paper.
Chapter five talks about Loneliness and Narcissism and 6 Loneliness and Phenomenology. Chapter 7 focuses on Loneliness and the Possibility of a Private Language where the author discusses in detail the basic motivational and emotional drive in man to try and escape his aloneness, sense of isolation and seeking companionship with other consciousnesses or trying to achieve “ a temporary memory block in which some fact from the recent or remote past is forgotten but later recalled,” referred to in this book as benign forgetfulness. Throughout this chapter he refers to psychologists of loneliness such as Erich Fromm, Clark Moustakas, R.D. Laing and James Howard. As a result of his research and findings in this chapter the author concludes “ man feels himself to be alone, that he is conscious of his isolation before he learns to express this fact in language.” I must add that at the end of each chapter he includes the explanation for each of the footnotes in detail. The final chapter before adding all of the appendices to the book is Loneliness and the Divided Self. Appendix A written by the author alone is titled: Loneliness An Interdisciplinary Approach which includes a discussion of The Psychology and Sociology of Loneliness which I found most interesting. In this appendix the author discusses in children their first phobias related to these situations: darkness and solitude. Children often fear being alone when there is the absence of some person close to them that loved them. Sometimes children will call out when they are in the dark and the response is one that is hurtful, abrupt and unfeeling letting the child know the adult does not want to deal with them or handle their fears. Death is another concept he deals with in this appendix since children are afraid of death and often have trouble as adults do, with a permanent loss. But, he makes an interesting statement: we do not fear death but we fear loneliness. He continues with this throughout this very informative Appendix. The remainder of the Appendices you need to read for yourself. Appendix: Loneliness and Personal Identity and Appendix C titled The Sociology and Psychology of Loneliness and Appendix D where he continues with Kant: Kant’s Reflections on the Unity of Consciousness, Time Consciousness, and the Unconscious. One final statement which refers to Appendix C in this appendix he sums it up quite well when he states that all human beings are lonely, and the desire to avoid isolation constitutes the ultimate motivational drive in human passion, thought and conduct cited from paragraph one page 190.
There are many different definitions and experiences that define loneliness within this book. Imagine yourself on an island all alone with no one there but yourself, your thoughts and your mind. What are the determining factors involved in man’s constant confrontation with loneliness? You need to find the answers to this question and explore your own feelings about loneliness, read the book, the research and determine what you agree or disagree with but one thing for sure after reading this book you will definitely have a better understanding of the deeper meaning of this word.
This book is great for psychology, philosophy and literature students, professors and anyone who wants to truly understand the meaning of Loneliness and connect them to the three disciplines: Literature, Psychology and Philosophy. Just to let the reader know I really think everyone should read this book and as you can tell from my detailed review I learned a lot and really did like the book.
Fran Lewis: reviewer
Consider a person locked inside a 6 by 6 jail cell with nowhere to go, no one to talk with and just himself to contemplate his future and every thought. Imagine what would happen if someone came over to the metal bars and attempted to have a conversation with this isolated man. What about someone locked away in a mental institution calling out and screaming hoping for someone to answer but having no idea what he/she would like as a response. The only thing this person has is the restraints that confine him from self inflicting any injuries and the thoughts running through his head yet not understanding the response that he wants. Isolated by others not by his choice. What about the child at the playground surrounded by other children yet feeling isolated and alone? Stated in the introduction of his book, Ben Mijuskovic states “ Man is social, “political,” that is to say, a communal animal. Without the desire for companionship he becomes progressively less human.” What about the prisoner or the patient all alone? If given the chance or opportunity would they prefer to be alone or with someone else? He continues to write that while man is or senses that he is alone it is not abundantly clear. The author has developed many theories that he has extensively researched in literature, philosophers quoted and psychological reasons states. The mind is fascinating to me and the various levels of thinking and our thought processes although individual to each person the author states that everyone has a certain consciousness, a “Philosophy of mind, which alone can account on various levels, existential, psychological, epistemological, phenomenological, existential, psychological and passional to name a few. He continues by linking the relationship between loneliness in literature and the theory of consciousness.
This book draws heavily on the interdisciplinary approach focusing on philosophy, literature and psychology. In chapter one the author wishes to convey the following: an image of man intrinsically alone and irredeemably lost. He continues to state that man is always struggling to escape the solipsistic (The theory that the self is the only thing that can be known and verified.) prison of his frightening solitude. Second, he will discuss a theory of consciousness that will allow the reader a better insight and understanding of why man is lonely.
Author Ben Mijuskovic asks the reader to look long and hard at the definition of loneliness and understand that man and everyone has at sometime suffered from feelings of loneliness which most try to escape but never completely. There are many people that emotionally isolate themselves in a social setting with other people. They might even withdraw into a corner and keep their feelings to themselves. Some will not accept emotional support from anyone. Some feel sad, sullen and shut down completely and refuse to communicate. It is almost like self-imposed isolation or self inflicted loneliness. These people find it hard to connect with others.
The author states that a man who is lonely feels “no delight.” He also states within Chapter One that it can be argued that the concept of loneliness is served, and I found this really quite compelling, like the idea of exile. Citing Ovid’s Tristia or Letter from Exile and stating that it can be interpreted as the expression of longing for what most of us want: Family, friends and a country, which was caused by his exile from Rome. He also states and quite succinctly that even if you overcome loneliness for a while you cannot escape or “vanquish” it for long. There are so many pieces of literature cited within this chapter that if I cite them all I would never be able to tell you about the rest. But, when the author states that a salesman whose actions purports that he knows and likes everyone, in the end will come to a startling or harsh realization that he can count on no one. There is much more elaborated on page 7 of Chapter One.
Linking the theme of loneliness within the three disciplines throughout each chapter and weaving in many stories, even going back to the Middle Ages, Roman and Greek Mythology and allowing the reader to know that loneliness is not just a thing of the present. The most compelling reference in literature is his reference to Robinson Crusoe and The History of Robinson and Friday.
Chapter 2 focuses on the awareness of loneliness. In simple terms what causes a person, any one of us to have this sense of isolation and make it possible? Referring to Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason we learn that Kant’s main purpose or aim is to determine the scope and limits of pure reason. Simply explained he wants to know exactly what reason alone can determine minus the other senses or any other faculties. He expands on this by explaining in detail the two specific distinctions: Priori and posteriori knowledge and between analytic and synthetic judgments and follows with a more detailed explanation.
He continues with his definition of the three models of consciousness, which are: the behaviorist, the intentional and the reflexive paradigms of cognitive apprehension. The author continues with the definitions of all three and links it to many great works in literature. Rather than cite every example I will instead relate which statements that I found compelling and which I agree with. For example on page 28 he states that each of us is alone, is a tragedy. When we try to reach another person, since no one wants to be alone, we often find ourselves in a situation where each person wants to dominate the other and he explains it more in detail on pages 28-30. Chapter Three is titled Loneliness and Time Consciousness followed by Types of Loneliness. He elaborates by referring to an article written by Gotesky which defines the four possible definitions of loneliness: Physical loneliness, loneliness in contrast to loneliness according to Gotesky is a state of mind, third in his analysis defines the state of feeling isolated and finally the fourth aspect of isolation is solitude which he considers a positive. He continues by discussing the main disagreements within his classificatory scheme and his defense of solitude. First he states that loneliness is not avoidable and secondly against Gotseky; who insists that this sense of aloneness was practically nonexistent before the Renaissance. He sites Nicholas Beriiaev, other well-known psychologists and returns to Gotesky with his discussion of friendship in his paper.
Chapter five talks about Loneliness and Narcissism and 6 Loneliness and Phenomenology. Chapter 7 focuses on Loneliness and the Possibility of a Private Language where the author discusses in detail the basic motivational and emotional drive in man to try and escape his aloneness, sense of isolation and seeking companionship with other consciousnesses or trying to achieve “ a temporary memory block in which some fact from the recent or remote past is forgotten but later recalled,” referred to in this book as benign forgetfulness. Throughout this chapter he refers to psychologists of loneliness such as Erich Fromm, Clark Moustakas, R.D. Laing and James Howard. As a result of his research and findings in this chapter the author concludes “ man feels himself to be alone, that he is conscious of his isolation before he learns to express this fact in language.” I must add that at the end of each chapter he includes the explanation for each of the footnotes in detail. The final chapter before adding all of the appendices to the book is Loneliness and the Divided Self. Appendix A written by the author alone is titled: Loneliness An Interdisciplinary Approach which includes a discussion of The Psychology and Sociology of Loneliness which I found most interesting. In this appendix the author discusses in children their first phobias related to these situations: darkness and solitude. Children often fear being alone when there is the absence of some person close to them that loved them. Sometimes children will call out when they are in the dark and the response is one that is hurtful, abrupt and unfeeling letting the child know the adult does not want to deal with them or handle their fears. Death is another concept he deals with in this appendix since children are afraid of death and often have trouble as adults do, with a permanent loss. But, he makes an interesting statement: we do not fear death but we fear loneliness. He continues with this throughout this very informative Appendix. The remainder of the Appendices you need to read for yourself. Appendix: Loneliness and Personal Identity and Appendix C titled The Sociology and Psychology of Loneliness and Appendix D where he continues with Kant: Kant’s Reflections on the Unity of Consciousness, Time Consciousness, and the Unconscious. One final statement which refers to Appendix C in this appendix he sums it up quite well when he states that all human beings are lonely, and the desire to avoid isolation constitutes the ultimate motivational drive in human passion, thought and conduct cited from paragraph one page 190.
There are many different definitions and experiences that define loneliness within this book. Imagine yourself on an island all alone with no one there but yourself, your thoughts and your mind. What are the determining factors involved in man’s constant confrontation with loneliness? You need to find the answers to this question and explore your own feelings about loneliness, read the book, the research and determine what you agree or disagree with but one thing for sure after reading this book you will definitely have a better understanding of the deeper meaning of this word.
This book is great for psychology, philosophy and literature students, professors and anyone who wants to truly understand the meaning of Loneliness and connect them to the three disciplines: Literature, Psychology and Philosophy. Just to let the reader know I really think everyone should read this book and as you can tell from my detailed review I learned a lot and really did like the book.
Fran Lewis: reviewer
June 15, 2026
Loneliness in Philosophy, Psychology, and Literature is an impressive and wide-ranging survey of loneliness as both an intellectual problem and a human experience. I appreciated how the book moves across different schools of thought and disciplines, giving loneliness the seriousness it deserves instead of reducing it to a simple emotional state.
At its best, the book helped me see loneliness as something philosophical, psychological, existential, and literary all at once. It is especially strong as a map of ideas, showing how different thinkers and traditions have approached the subject.
That said, the writing could feel dry at times. For a topic as emotionally rich as loneliness, I sometimes wanted more atmosphere, more literary feeling, maybe even more romanticizing of the ache itself. The book explains loneliness well, but I occasionally wished it lingered inside it a little more.
Still, it’s a thoughtful and worthwhile read, especially for anyone interested in loneliness beyond the usual self-help framing. A serious, ambitious survey, even if not always as moving as the subject itself.
At its best, the book helped me see loneliness as something philosophical, psychological, existential, and literary all at once. It is especially strong as a map of ideas, showing how different thinkers and traditions have approached the subject.
That said, the writing could feel dry at times. For a topic as emotionally rich as loneliness, I sometimes wanted more atmosphere, more literary feeling, maybe even more romanticizing of the ache itself. The book explains loneliness well, but I occasionally wished it lingered inside it a little more.
Still, it’s a thoughtful and worthwhile read, especially for anyone interested in loneliness beyond the usual self-help framing. A serious, ambitious survey, even if not always as moving as the subject itself.
Read
April 16, 2025extremely erudite treatment of the subject. The author postulates a particular theory of mind and brings it out its implications; definitely not for the average reader though (at times it’s quite technical)… I particularly enjoyed quotes of Thomas Wolfe.
May 14, 2016
Very good read.
July 20, 2020
Very interesting idea and proposal but extremely difficult to read. You need to be a professional philosopher to understand the lingo and the references
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews