Philosophy, sociology and health sciences each offer a distinct way for understanding loneliness. This first article focuses on the explanations philosophy proposes.

For certain strands in philosophy, loneliness is understood not simply as an emotional state but as an integral aspect of the human condition. Existentialist philosophers, such as Martin Heidegger and Jean-Paul Sartre, have argued that loneliness is tied to our very existence: no matter how socially connected we may be, we remain isolated within our own consciousness. This form of existential loneliness stems from our separation from others by the boundaries of the mind and body. We are alone in our thoughts, perceptions and, ultimately, in the awareness of our individual mortality – cast into the vast, indifferent expanses of the universe.

Some have described this as metaphysical loneliness – the most fundamental and pervasive form of loneliness, one that underlies and informs all other manifestations of feeling lonely. It is not tied to specific circumstances but is instead a kind of ‘master mood’ (McGraw 1995: 46)¹, a looming awareness of one’s separateness in the world. This sense of disconnection can feel vast and external, akin to the empty spaces between stars, or deeply intimate, embedded within the self.

While the realization of metaphysical loneliness can be agonizing, it has also been seen as a source of inspiration and revelation. In religious traditions, ascetic rituals of social withdrawal – whether in the form of hermits, monks or mystics – are believed to cultivate contemplation, concentration and proximity to the divine. Similarly, the archetype of the ‘solitary genius’ reflects the idea that loneliness can foster creativity, fueling ways of thinking that transcends ordinary experience.

Author: Michael Stasik