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A Philosophy of Loneliness

Description:

For many of us it is the ultimate fear: to die alone. Loneliness is a difficult subject to address because it has such negative connotations in our intensely social world. But the truth is that wherever there are people, there is loneliness. You can be lonely sitting in the quiet of your home, in the still of an afternoon park, or even when surrounded by throngs of people on a busy street. One need only turn on the radio to hear a crooner telling us just how lonesome we can be. In this groundbreaking book, philosopher Lars Svendsen confronts loneliness head on, investigating both the negative and positive sides of this most human of emotions.
           
Drawing on the latest research in philosophy, psychology, and the social sciences,
A Philosophy of Loneliness explores the different kinds of loneliness and examines the psychological and social characteristics that dispose people to them. Svendsen looks at the importance of friendship and love, and he examines how loneliness can impact our quality of life and affect our physical and mental health. In a provocative move, he also argues that the main problem in our modern society is not that we have too much loneliness but rather too little solitude, and he looks to those moments when our loneliness can actually tell us profound things about ourselves and our place in the world. The result is a fascinating book about a complex and deeply meaningful part of our very being.    


Editorial Reviews

Review

“In A Philosophy of Loneliness Svendsen does not so much elucidate the topic of loneliness as he complicates it, thereby dispelling the many illusions we may have harbored about our understanding of it.” ― PopMatters

Review

“Lars Svendsen has written a book that brings both knowledge and wisdom to loneliness, that most intimate of moods.”
  -- Jeffrey Kosky, author of Arts of Wonder: Enchanting Secularity

Reviews:

5.0 out of 5 stars A thought-provoking exploration on loneliness

I.G. · April 21, 2019

The lazy and common definition of loneliness is that of being alone, but as the author points out, we are often lonely even when together with others — e.g., at a busy cafe or at an overcrowded party. Instead, loneliness is a subjective feeling of unmet relationship needs, which can be present in any social setting.The feeling of loneliness is subject to how we process an experience: sitting alone at a cafe will be perceived by some as a productive solitude (together with oneself), and as feeling isolation by others or even the same person at a different time. Further, loneliness can feed on itself through heightened and idealized expectations from social interactions, fear of being vulnerable, and mistrust in the intention of others.A thought-provoking exploration. While it is not meant or offers direct advice for addressing loneliness, the discussion naturally leads to useful insights on how to identify it and, potentially, adopt strategies overcome it both with yourself and those around you.

5.0 out of 5 stars Words to express what I could not

H. · December 25, 2018

An illuminating look into loneliness. It even helped me look into and explore my own.A hidden gem.

5.0 out of 5 stars A solid philosophical work

A. · January 14, 2020

This is a solid philosophical work on loneliness. It combines conceptual analysis with empirical findings, which is what you'd generally expect from a modern philosopher. The book is short, but pretty dense. I'm just going to list the main ideas for those of you who want to get a sense about the discussions in this book:- There's an important distinction between "alone" and "lonely": the first is physical, the other is emotional; you can be at a family dinner (not alone) but still feel lonely, and you can very well be alone in your room and not feel lonely- Loneliness can be understood as an emotion; from an evolutionary standpoint, the advantage of having this emotion is that it tells you that your social needs are not being met- The main factor correlated with /causing loneliness is lack of trust in other people (I recommend watching Mad Men, which explores exactly this idea, I think); other factors: your expect too much from your social interactions, you are too critical of yourselves and others in social situations, you are too self-absorbed- Loneliness shows why friendship and love are important- It's contentious whether or not modern individualism is one of the main causes of loneliness- Solitude is a positive form of loneliness which can help an individual get in touch with his/her inner self, and it can also help you be more creative; loneliness is being alone with yourself, while solitude is being together with yourself- The text ends on a Sartrian key: Your loneliness is your loneliness. You've gotten yourself into that shiz (through a long chain of poor decisions), and you need to take responsibility for that and fix it yourself. As Svendsen puts it: don't expect others to remedy your loneliness. No one has a right to a life without loneliness, just as no one has a right to be happy.

Examine and inspect closely and thoroughly of the loneliness from different angles

F. · May 11, 2022

I found out about some of the mysteries of my life.

Thoughtful book that delves into the origin of our loneliness and how to make peace with it

f. · January 8, 2025

The book delves deep into the pervasive sense of isolation that characterizes modern life. The author thoughtfully examines the roots and repercussions of loneliness, blending philosophical inquiry with contemporary societal analysis. He explores how technological advancements, urbanization, and shifting social structures contribute to our increasing disconnection from others and ourselves.Svendsen doesn't just identify the problem; he also offers insightful reflections on potential pathways to foster genuine connections and cultivate inner contentment. By intertwining personal anecdotes with scholarly research, the book invites readers to introspect and reconsider their own relationships with solitude and community.Overall, the book is a compelling and timely exploration that challenges readers to navigate the delicate balance between being alone and feeling lonely. It's a valuable read for anyone seeking to understand the emotional landscapes of the 21st century and striving to build more meaningful connections in an increasingly fragmented world.

I'm sure the book is great but it was delivered to the wrong place

B. · February 11, 2024

Delivery instructions weren't followed so it was left 'in a porch' even though the address has no porch. I'm sure the book is excellent though.Can't find anywhere on Bolo to complain about this

A Philosophy of Loneliness

Product ID: U1780237472
Condition: New

4.3

AED14463

Price includes VAT & Import Duties
Type: Paperback
Availability: In Stock

Quantity:

|

Order today to get by 7-14 business days

Delivery fee of AED 20. Free for orders above AED 200.

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Imported From: United States

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BOLO is not an authorized or official retailer for most brands, nor are we affiliated with manufacturers unless specifically stated on a product page. Instead, we source verified sellers, authorized distributors or directly from the manufacturer.

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Unless otherwise stated, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.

BOLO operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of United Arab Emirates. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the UAE will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in United Arab Emirates are listed on our website.

All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.

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A Philosophy of Loneliness

Product ID: U1780237472
Condition: New

4.3

A Philosophy of Loneliness-0
Type: Paperback

AED14463

Price includes VAT & Import Duties
Availability: In Stock

Quantity:

|

Order today to get by 7-14 business days

Delivery fee of AED 20. Free for orders above AED 200.

Returns & Warranty policies

Imported From: United States

At BOLO, we work hard to ensure the products you receive are new, genuine, and sourced from reputable suppliers.

BOLO is not an authorized or official retailer for most brands, nor are we affiliated with manufacturers unless specifically stated on a product page. Instead, we source verified sellers, authorized distributors or directly from the manufacturer.

Each product undergoes thorough inspection and verification at our consolidation and fulfilment centers to ensure it meets our strict authenticity and quality standards before being shipped and delivered to you.

If you ever have concerns regarding the authenticity of a product purchased from us, please contact Bolo Support. We will review your inquiry promptly and, if necessary, provide documentation verifying authenticity or offer a suitable resolution.

Your trust is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in every transaction.

All product information, images, descriptions, and reviews originate from the manufacturer or from trusted sellers overseas. BOLO is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an authorized retailer for most brands listed on our website unless stated otherwise.

While we strive to display accurate information, variations in packaging, labeling, instructions, or formulation may occasionally occur due to regional differences or supplier updates. For detailed or manufacturer-specific information, please contact the brand directly or reach out to BOLO Support for assistance.

Unless otherwise stated, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.

BOLO operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of United Arab Emirates. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the UAE will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in United Arab Emirates are listed on our website.

All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.

All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.

Description:

For many of us it is the ultimate fear: to die alone. Loneliness is a difficult subject to address because it has such negative connotations in our intensely social world. But the truth is that wherever there are people, there is loneliness. You can be lonely sitting in the quiet of your home, in the still of an afternoon park, or even when surrounded by throngs of people on a busy street. One need only turn on the radio to hear a crooner telling us just how lonesome we can be. In this groundbreaking book, philosopher Lars Svendsen confronts loneliness head on, investigating both the negative and positive sides of this most human of emotions.
           
Drawing on the latest research in philosophy, psychology, and the social sciences,
A Philosophy of Loneliness explores the different kinds of loneliness and examines the psychological and social characteristics that dispose people to them. Svendsen looks at the importance of friendship and love, and he examines how loneliness can impact our quality of life and affect our physical and mental health. In a provocative move, he also argues that the main problem in our modern society is not that we have too much loneliness but rather too little solitude, and he looks to those moments when our loneliness can actually tell us profound things about ourselves and our place in the world. The result is a fascinating book about a complex and deeply meaningful part of our very being.    


Editorial Reviews

Review

“In A Philosophy of Loneliness Svendsen does not so much elucidate the topic of loneliness as he complicates it, thereby dispelling the many illusions we may have harbored about our understanding of it.” ― PopMatters

Review

“Lars Svendsen has written a book that brings both knowledge and wisdom to loneliness, that most intimate of moods.”
  -- Jeffrey Kosky, author of Arts of Wonder: Enchanting Secularity

Reviews:

5.0 out of 5 stars A thought-provoking exploration on loneliness

I.G. · April 21, 2019

The lazy and common definition of loneliness is that of being alone, but as the author points out, we are often lonely even when together with others — e.g., at a busy cafe or at an overcrowded party. Instead, loneliness is a subjective feeling of unmet relationship needs, which can be present in any social setting.The feeling of loneliness is subject to how we process an experience: sitting alone at a cafe will be perceived by some as a productive solitude (together with oneself), and as feeling isolation by others or even the same person at a different time. Further, loneliness can feed on itself through heightened and idealized expectations from social interactions, fear of being vulnerable, and mistrust in the intention of others.A thought-provoking exploration. While it is not meant or offers direct advice for addressing loneliness, the discussion naturally leads to useful insights on how to identify it and, potentially, adopt strategies overcome it both with yourself and those around you.

5.0 out of 5 stars Words to express what I could not

H. · December 25, 2018

An illuminating look into loneliness. It even helped me look into and explore my own.A hidden gem.

5.0 out of 5 stars A solid philosophical work

A. · January 14, 2020

This is a solid philosophical work on loneliness. It combines conceptual analysis with empirical findings, which is what you'd generally expect from a modern philosopher. The book is short, but pretty dense. I'm just going to list the main ideas for those of you who want to get a sense about the discussions in this book:- There's an important distinction between "alone" and "lonely": the first is physical, the other is emotional; you can be at a family dinner (not alone) but still feel lonely, and you can very well be alone in your room and not feel lonely- Loneliness can be understood as an emotion; from an evolutionary standpoint, the advantage of having this emotion is that it tells you that your social needs are not being met- The main factor correlated with /causing loneliness is lack of trust in other people (I recommend watching Mad Men, which explores exactly this idea, I think); other factors: your expect too much from your social interactions, you are too critical of yourselves and others in social situations, you are too self-absorbed- Loneliness shows why friendship and love are important- It's contentious whether or not modern individualism is one of the main causes of loneliness- Solitude is a positive form of loneliness which can help an individual get in touch with his/her inner self, and it can also help you be more creative; loneliness is being alone with yourself, while solitude is being together with yourself- The text ends on a Sartrian key: Your loneliness is your loneliness. You've gotten yourself into that shiz (through a long chain of poor decisions), and you need to take responsibility for that and fix it yourself. As Svendsen puts it: don't expect others to remedy your loneliness. No one has a right to a life without loneliness, just as no one has a right to be happy.

Examine and inspect closely and thoroughly of the loneliness from different angles

F. · May 11, 2022

I found out about some of the mysteries of my life.

Thoughtful book that delves into the origin of our loneliness and how to make peace with it

f. · January 8, 2025

The book delves deep into the pervasive sense of isolation that characterizes modern life. The author thoughtfully examines the roots and repercussions of loneliness, blending philosophical inquiry with contemporary societal analysis. He explores how technological advancements, urbanization, and shifting social structures contribute to our increasing disconnection from others and ourselves.Svendsen doesn't just identify the problem; he also offers insightful reflections on potential pathways to foster genuine connections and cultivate inner contentment. By intertwining personal anecdotes with scholarly research, the book invites readers to introspect and reconsider their own relationships with solitude and community.Overall, the book is a compelling and timely exploration that challenges readers to navigate the delicate balance between being alone and feeling lonely. It's a valuable read for anyone seeking to understand the emotional landscapes of the 21st century and striving to build more meaningful connections in an increasingly fragmented world.

I'm sure the book is great but it was delivered to the wrong place

B. · February 11, 2024

Delivery instructions weren't followed so it was left 'in a porch' even though the address has no porch. I'm sure the book is excellent though.Can't find anywhere on Bolo to complain about this

Similar suggestions by Bolo

More from this brand

Similar items from “Love & Loss”