An Anthropology of Loneliness
Magdalena SZPUNAR
Instytut Socjologii, Wydział Nauk Społecznych, Uniwersytet Śląski, ul. Bankowa 11, 40-007 Katowice, Poland , PolandAbstract
The aim of the article is to describe the phenomenon of loneliness, which can be approached from two perspectives. The anthropological and philosophical perspective conceives of loneliness as a universal trait of human existence, while the sociological and psychological perspective focuses on the way in which loneliness is experienced and on its impact on the quality of life. The author adopts the anthropological approach which makes it possible to discuss the ambivalent character of the experience, thus emphasizing that loneliness is a subjective (qualitative) and not an objective (quantitative) phenomenon. The anthropological reflection on loneliness presented in the article concentrates on how individual characteristics of a person influence their experience and appraisal of loneliness. Such a focus helps identify aspects of loneliness considered as valuable resources, as well as those which may be perceived as destructive to an individual.
Keywords:
loneliness, anthropology of loneliness, epidemics of loneliness, hikikomori, monoseologyInstytut Socjologii, Wydział Nauk Społecznych, Uniwersytet Śląski, ul. Bankowa 11, 40-007 Katowice, Poland
