History of Solitude

Solitude has had an ambivalent status, being viewed as a symptom of modern life but also as a dangerous pathology. David Vincent explores how people have conducted themselves in the absence of company over the last three centuries, arguing that the ambivalent nature of solitude became a prominent concern in the modern era. He explains how western societies' increasing secularism, urbanization, and prosperity led to the development of new solitary pastimes, while physical isolation and intense sociability have become possible with the advent of the digital age.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 352 pages
\n Publication date: 03 September 2021
\n Publisher: Polity Press
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Solitude has always held a complex and multifaceted reputation, as its ability to provide enjoyment in one's own company can make social interactions more tolerable. However, individuals who tend towards solitude often face suspicion or pity from others. In his comprehensive exploration, David Vincent delves into the behavior of people throughout history when faced with the absence of companionship. He argues that the ambivalent nature of solitude gained particular prominence in the modern era. During the romantic period, solitude offered a respite to individuals living in increasingly complex modern societies. While some intellectuals viewed solitude as a symptom of modern life, others perceived it as a potentially dangerous pathology, a renunciation of the world that could lead to psychological disorders and antisocial behavior.

Vincent takes readers on a journey through various attempts by religious authorities and political institutions to manage solitude, spanning from monasteries to prisoners' cells. He explains how Western societies' increasing secularization, urbanization, and prosperity coincided with the development of new solitary pastimes, while simultaneously making traditional forms of solitary communion with God and nature more challenging.

At the dawn of the digital age, solitude has taken on new meanings as physical isolation and intense sociability have become more accessible than ever before. This has led to the emergence of a so-called loneliness epidemic, emphasizing the importance of gaining a proper historical understanding of the natural human desire to disengage from the world. A History of Solitude, the first comprehensive account of its subject, appeals to a wide general readership, providing valuable insights into the complex and evolving nature of solitude throughout history.

\n Weight: 548g\n
Dimension: 229 x 513 x 30 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781509536597\n \n