Lonelines vs. Solitude: what's the difference?

     Another 20th century thinker who is concerned for the loss of experience in modern life is Hannah Arendt. Arendt thinks modern life, especially totalitarian life, is a kind of “organized loneliness.” This means I am disconnected not just from others, but from myself.

     Arendt contrasts loneliness with solitude. Solitude is the ability to have a dialogue with oneself. Solitude, for Arendt, is a bulwark against totalitarian domination; but it's increasingly rare. It’s hard to cultivate solitude in a crowd.              

​                                                                       Zohar Atkins whatiscalledthinking.substack