Call for papers 9 (2023)
Solitude and Isolation
The concept of solitude and isolation has held a profound fascination for scholars, stretching across literature, philosophy, psychology, and sociology. Moving from Bufalino's «isolitudine» as the backhanded sentiment of living in an island (which could be a place or a time: Sicily as well as the contemporary age), this call for papers invites academic engagement to dissect the intricacies of these states in contemporary society and explore their historical roots, linguistic nuances, and psychological implications. 1. Isolation, Loneliness, Solitude Hannah Arendt, in her seminal work, The Origins of Totalitarianism, delineates the fundamental aspects of isolation, loneliness, and solitude as they pertain to the human condition. Isolation, in Arendt's analysis, epitomizes a state where a lack of sociality and connection with others results in an atomized individual, detached from the political sphere. Conversely, loneliness signifies a condition of 'uprooting,' a precursor to the notion of 'superfluity' where an individual feels disconnected from the world. While in loneliness «I am effectively one, abandoned by all» in solitude «I am with myself, and therefore two-in-one». The discussion draws also parallels with the Stoic philosopher Epictetus's distinction between absolute independence (mónos) and the impossibility of establishing contact (éremos), such highlighting the dialogical dimension of solitude. 2. A journey from isolation to solitude Denis Vasse, in "De l’isolement à la solitude" distinguishes solitude from isolation through the lens of relationships. Solitude is marked by an encounter with the 'other,' either external or internal, whereas isolation lacks this connection. The journey from isolation to solitude, akin to the desert experience of Christ, can be a path to self-discovery, understanding the world, and exploring one's spirituality. 3. Solitude in the Age of Information Overload In our contemporary age characterized by information overload and perpetual connectivity, we question the boundaries of solitude. While mobile technology has transformed the web into an ever-accessible space, new forms of segregation have emerged - from recent pandemics to ongoing conflicts and urgent migrations. Contributions exploring these aspects are welcomed. 4. Linguistic, Semiotic, and Geographic Dimensions We also encourage examination of linguistic and semiotic dimensions of solitude. Do linguistic and semiotic tools reveal nuances between the realms of 'amare' (to love) and 'tangĕre' (to touch), between the spheres of friendship and contact within social communities? Furthermore, geography can be a vital tool in exploring the spatial conditions of solitude. Can one truly be alone in a 'non-place'? Additionally, research on the impact of physical absence and the replacement of the 'other' with a virtual presence (a topic relevant to neuroscience and the visual arts) is welcomed.
Abstracts (max 1000 characters) and papers (max 40.000 characters) must be written in one of the following languages: Italian, English, French, Spanish, German.
Deadlines
Abstracts and articles are to be sent to: segreteriasiculorumgymnasium@gmail.com
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