Übungen der Einsamkeit

This lucid essay takes the reader on a fascinating journey of discovery through the cultures of the present and past, revealing the origins of loneliness, its changing meaning and the challenge it poses. The essay’s discourse, which is critical of the present in places, makes it clear that our society has largely brought about its own prevailing problems with loneliness. There is no escaping loneliness: We must learn to master it again and make it useful to us. This is only possible if we accept it as a central part of our existence and practise using it. A look at the loneliness skills of past generations can help us to do this.