The Case for Literature

The Necessity of Loneliness

Speech presented on receiving the Golden Plate Award at the Forty-first International Achievement Summit of the American Academy of Achievement, held on 8 June 2002 in Dublin.

Published in the Literary Supplement of the Taiwanese daily

Lianhebao, 11 July 2002

THE FEELING OF LONELINESS IS unique to humans. A tree or a bird may seem to be lonely, but this is an attribute bestowed by the person making the observation. The tree or the bird is incapable of perceiving loneliness. This feeling occurs when a person is alone, and, moved by his emotions, associates his own circumstances with those of the bird or the tree that he sees before him. Since this feeling entails an element of self-examination, it is not a purely objective observation. The feeling of loneliness produced is thus a form of aesthetics, in that while observing one's external environment, one is at the same time examining the self that is located within it, and to a certain extent this is an affirmation of one's own personal worth.

This feeling of loneliness, which stems from self-love, can arouse self-pity or lead to conceitedness, and can even turn into unbridled impetuousness. If concern for the external world is lost, this feeling can become a tangled mass in the heart and turn into an affliction that gives rise to arrogance and bigotry. To derive interest from loneliness instead of allowing it to become an affliction, one must examine both what is external and what is internal - in other words, use another eye to calmly observe the outside world as well as one's own inner world. This third eye, which can transcend the limitations of one's self, is what is known as consciousness, or even wisdom.

However, wisdom or consciousness comes also with distance - in other words, with taking a step back. One requires a certain distance to be able clearly and make accurate judgments about people and events.

Loneliness is not merely an aesthetic judgment, because it can also turn into a drive. Since it is premised on affirming an individual's worth, it contributes to motivating the individual to go forth and overcome difficulties, or pursue a particular goal.

It is only when a child is alone that he starts to become an adult, and it is only when a person is alone that he can achieve maturity. Loneliness is essential for adults. It encourages independence, and needless to say, the ability to endure loneliness is indispensable for strengthening character within social situations.

It is bad not to have this vital distance between the individual and others, to be running into people all the time - either within a family or within some other collective unit. Moreover, coexistence requires magnanimity and understanding, and these depend on our having adequate space between ourselves and others.

To an even greater extent, loneliness is a prerequisite for freedom. Freedom depends on the ability to reflect, and reflection can only begin when one is alone.

The world does not consist only of dualities - right or wrong, condoning or opposing, revolutionary or reactionary, progressive or conservative, politically correct or politically incorrect. Before making a choice, there is no harm in hesitating and leaving a little room for independent reflection.

When ideologies, trends in thinking, fashions or crazes are all-embracing, it is being lonely that affirms the individual's freedom.

In the bustling world of today the propaganda of the mass media is all-pervasive, and if at times an individual wants to listen to the voice of his heart he will need the support of this feeling of loneliness. As long as it does not turn into an ailment, loneliness is necessary for the individual to establish himself and to achieve things.

I thank all of you here today at this illustrious gathering for patiently listening to me talk about insights that I have gained from my experiences. I am sure that all of you too have had such insights.

CHK: The Case for Literature