“Living within Oneself”: On the Elitist Nature of Solitude, as seen in the Philosophy of José Ortega y Gasset
Krzysztof POLIT
John Paul II Institute, Faculty of Philosophy, John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Al. Racławickie 14, 20-950 Lublin, Poland , PolandAbstract
Solitude is a central category in José Ortega y Gasset’s philosophy of man. Man emerged from the animal world because he was gradually becoming independent from nature thanks to the ability to sink into himself (ensimismarse), i.e., remain alone. The possibility of being alone, which automatically made mankind independent of the outside world, was the source of all creative activities of man, i.e., science, technology, and culture. The price we pay for creative opportunities is our inner tear. We have a very strong need for contact with others, but it is only in moments of solitude that we live fully authentic and creative lives.
Keywords:
solitude, José Ortega y Gasset, a human being, tradition, masses, elites, Western civilizationPOLIT, K. (2023). „Pogrążyć się w sobie”. O elitarnym charakterze samotności w myśli José Ortegi y Gasseta. Ethos. Kwartalnik Instytutu Jana Pawła II KUL, 35(3 (139). https://doi.org/10.12887/35-2022-3-139-08
Krzysztof POLIT
John Paul II Institute, Faculty of Philosophy, John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Al. Racławickie 14, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
John Paul II Institute, Faculty of Philosophy, John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Al. Racławickie 14, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
