ALONE WITH ONESELF

Abstract

The essay examines solitude not as fate, sacrifice or passion, but as an experience that is actively initiated, that is perceived ambivalently, sometimes painfully, but also sensually, and that functions as context as well as occasion for the practice of cultural techniques – talking (to oneself), reading, writing, drawing or painting. Solitude techniques are analysed as “technologies of the self” (Michel Foucault) and “techniques of the body” (Marcel Mauss), as strategies for self-perception and “internal policy” (Paul Valéry). The history of these self-techniques as solitude techniques is unfolded using examples from Stoic philosophy and early Christian theology. An emphasis is placed on self-doubling or splitting techniques: those who are alone with themselves also see themselves as more or less resilient objects that can be strengthened against the influences of other voices and people. Among the techniques of solitude is, above all, the quest for suitable places that are often – desert, sea, mountain peak, etc. – characterised not only by being devoid of humans, but also by a kind of uniformity. In this way, they resemble writing or drawing surfaces on which meanings can be brought to light through sketches or graphic characters.

Keywords:

• cultural techniques
• self-perception
• Stoicism
• places of solitude

disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

1 The essay was originally published as “Mit sich allein. Einsamkeit als Kulturtechnik,” Einsamkeit. Archäologie der literarischen Kommunikation VI, ed. Aleida and Jan Assmann (Munich: Fink, 2000) 27–44.

2 Cf. de Montaigne 17. Here, the author cites a verse from the Elegies [Liber III, XIX, 12], which by now are not attributed to Tibullus anymore.

3 Self-limitation – not self-dissolution – was the intent, by all means in the sense of Luhmann (41): “In jedem Falle gilt mithin: das Ich ist Selbstlimitation.”

4 Cf. Hadot, Philosophy 91: “Platonic dialogues are model exercises.”

5 Cf. particularly regarding the hesychastic breathing prayer (from hesychia, “sweet repose”), Lockhart 12–20.

6 Ibid. 371: “It is too bad for the wood which finds itself a violin,” or 375: “If brass wakes up a trumpet, it is not its fault.”

7 T.N. Even though included in the English translation of his writings, the “Exhortation to the Greeks,” where this quote originates, is today no longer attributed to St Justin Martyr. The reference in the original German is to Pseudo-Justinus, “Mahnrede an die Hellenen,” Bibliothek der Kirchenväter, Band XXXIII (Kempten: Kösel, 1917).

8 Cf. first attempts in Augé.

9 Cf. the highly instructive treatise of Jacques Le Goff, “The Wilderness in the Medieval West.”

10 Ibid. 273: “But when he was reading, he drew his eyes along over the leaves, and his heart searched into the sense, but his voice and tongue were silent.” Cf. also Manguel 42f.