Skip to main content Accessibility help
×
Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-lnqnp Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-29T03:14:21.159Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Chapter 2 - Everyday Solitude for Everyday People

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 March 2024

Netta Weinstein
Affiliation:
University of Reading
Heather Hansen
Affiliation:
University of Reading
Thuy-vy T. Nguyen
Affiliation:
Durham University
Get access

Summary

What exactly we mean when we say the word “solitude” is still up for debate in the research world. Defining solitude using the experiences of ordinary people – and not just the musings of the poets and prophets we met in the last chapter–was an important objective in our research and writing. In an attempt to create a definition that we and other researchers could share, we had to pin down its basic components, to build a better picture of the nature and conditions of solitude as many people experience it. When and how does it happen? Where does it happen and why? When is it good or bad, or neither? With the generous input of many people from around the world, we were able to describe solitude in an accurate and inclusive way.

Type
Chapter
Information
Solitude
The Science and Power of Being Alone
, pp. 34 - 51
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2024

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Save book to Kindle

To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure no-reply@cambridge.org is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.

Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.

Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.

Available formats
×

Save book to Dropbox

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

Available formats
×