Home / Lectures / Joel Krueger, University of Exeter
Loneliness, absence, and mental health in psychopathology and beyond

Joel Krueger, University of Exeter
Description
Semester:
- Fall 2023
Speakers:
Lecture Time:
Fri, September 15, 2023 @ 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
Lecture Location:
R0240, Ross building
Speaker Webpage(s):
Introduced By:
No introduction available.
Abstract
Most of us experience loneliness at some point in our lives. It’s even come to be regarded as an
urgent public health concern. However, until recently, philosophers have had little to say about it
— including those working in phenomenological psychopathology, which investigates
experiential disturbances of an individual’s relation to themselves, others, and the wider world.
In this talk, I consider the importance of loneliness for psychopathology and beyond. Building on
work with Lucy Osler and Tom Roberts, I explore the experiential character of loneliness, with a
specific emphasis on how “social goods” are experienced as absent in ways that involve a
diminished sense of agency and recognition. I consider three case studies — depression,
anorexia, and autism — and argue for the need to attend to psychopathology-specific
expressions of loneliness, agency, and (non-)recognition. I also briefly consider the broader
significance of this topic, including loneliness and mental health in the workplace.
Recording & Additional Notes
No additional notes available.