There is a student in my psych program who is an existential therapist. He conceptualizes problems as arising from the internal conflict that occurs when we confront death, freedom and responsibility, isolation, and meaninglessness. I like, in particular, that Yalom acknowledges isolation. There are times I find loneliness overwhelming and I cannot understand why. I have no reason to feel lonely. Existentialists would say isolation is just part of the human condition and this, to me, makes more sense than any other explanation I have encountered. I add to that theory that it is the ability to get extraordinarily close at times that makes those moments of isolation seem so much bleaker by comparison.
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...wow...I have to think on that one and then come back...
i wish i knew you in real life
Personally, I find the field of phenomenology particularly fascinating as it relates to existential psychology. I do agree with many theories from earlier psychologists that introspection is the source of much conflict and to some extent, I think this is where some of the other tenants of existentialist psychology become galvanized. Our relationships with the self, self-analysis, self-concept, self-criticism, and self-esteem can easily fuel confrontations with death, freedom, isolation, and meaninglessness.
However, I don't think these confrontations are the sole reason for conflict. I also agree with later psychologists who posit that physical isolation creates existential turmoil. We obviously have science to back these theories, while the former concept, albeit logically sound reasoning, cannot be scientifically verified.
In either case, I'm inclined to believe that both concepts can be, at any given time, the source of psychological conflict, that can very well manifest into the physical realm. Ultimately, I think that, although commenting on ethics, Aristotle's concept of the Golden Mean has an application towards existentialist psychology in that we need a healthy, yet moderate amount of introspection, and I would say even physical isolation. I often feel lonely, but it is rarely ever because of a lack of physical contact. It usually arises from the "idea" of isolation, created by my mind, after bouts of intense introspection.
Anywho, great post!
Okay, I really really wanted to come up with something profound to say, but that desire is creating too much inner turmoil...
YOUR ability to get extraordinarily close. THis is not what most of us expeirence and so we do not experience the closeness OR the isolation the way you do. I just wonder if it's worth it?
(ehC)
I think you're right about closeness making our isolation, when we experience it, more intense and vivid. It's the old thing about how beauty can't exist without ugliness. In life, the pendulum swings to both extremes but constantly seeks balance, and while balance is supposed to be our optimal condition, despite ourselves it is nowhere near as interesting as those extremes.
Brown, yo bitch. Great response too with lots to think about. I do not know about the Golden Mean, but I am going to.
jb, sorry about your inner turmoil. Does it make it better or worse if I tell you there's no point in thinking about it?
Ace, of course it's worth it. Absolutely.
Susan, I agree with you. Balance, pffft.
I read -- but no sage comment. If I tried to comment I would just get confused.
Now everyone's gone i just wanted to tell you how much i love this post. It made me think about how close i have been to others and how close they have been to me. When you write a book one day i hope you write ideas like this into it:-)
Jerry, you're not confused. That's existential angst. They feel almost the same.
Paul, I think you probably understand about getting extraordinarily close and how that can at times, and by comparison, make one feel extraordinarily lonely. But there are great advantages to being sensitive too, don't forget.
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