The Philosophy of Loneliness project investigates the phenomenon of loneliness through philosophical inquiry. Loneliness is widely recognized as a major social concern and a form of emotional distress studied across multiple disciplines. Rising levels of loneliness are expected to have long-term societal consequences. Yet, there is no consensus on its definition, and the concept is far from self-evident. Current research often examines loneliness either as an individual emotional state or, more broadly, as a consequence of unjust social structures.
The project bridges the gap between the personal and the social by developing a new theoretical framework at the intersection of loneliness studies, phenomenology, critical phenomenology, and philosophy of emotion. It approaches loneliness as a way of relating to oneself through others, an experience of absence in which meaningful connections seem unavailable. The framework enables the analysis of how loneliness emerges in interaction and conceptualizes the emotional environments that give rise to loneliness.
In this context, the project also explores experiential links between loneliness and antagonistic emotions and attitudes such as anger, misogyny, and racist hatred, particularly in the context of lone-actor radicalization. By challenging individualistic conceptions of loneliness, the project fosters deeper and more nuanced ways of understanding the phenomenon.
The project is funded by The Research Council of Finland.