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Emptiness as a human condition of generalised boredom, social alienation and apathy. Feelings of emptiness often accompany dysthymia,[1] depression, loneliness, despair, or other mental/emotional disorders such as borderline personality disorder. A sense of emptiness is also part of a natural process of grief, as resulting of separation,[disambiguation needed] death of a loved one, or other significant changes. However, the "particular meanings of “emptiness” vary with the particular context and the religious or cultural tradition in which it is used".[2]
While Christianity and Western sociologists and psychologists view a state of emptiness as a negative condition, it is viewed as a positive state in some Eastern philosophies such as Buddhist philosophy and Taoism. However, the Buddhist term emptiness (Skt. shunyata) refers specifically to emptiness of inherent existence and not to nihilism,[3] nor to meditating on nothingness. Emptiness in Buddhism is also about the thought-free wakefulness that athletes and musicians might experience when they are in the "zone". This emptiness is not merely voidness but always contains cognizance. In Taoism, attaining a state of emptiness, is viewed as a state of stillness and placidity which is the "mirror of the universe" and the "pure mind".[4] Even outside of Eastern philosophy, some writers have suggested that people may use feelings of emptiness to liberate themselves for personal growth.[citation needed]
Contents [hide]
1 In Western culture
1.1 Sociology, philosophy, and psychology
1.2 Christianity
1.3 Fiction, film and design
2 In Eastern cultures
2.1 Buddhism
2.2 Taoism
3 See also
4 References
5 Further reading
[edit] In Western culture
[edit] Sociology, philosophy, and psychology
In the West, feeling "empty" is often viewed as a negative condition. Psychologist Clive Hazell, for example, attributes feelings of emptiness to problematic family backgrounds with abusive relationships and mistreatment.[5] He claims that some people who are facing a sense of emptiness try to resolve their painful feelings by becoming addicted to a drug or obsessive activity (be it compulsive sex or gambling) or engaging in "frenzied action" or violence. In sociology, a sense of emptiness is associated with social alienation of the individual. This sense of alienation may be suppressed while working, due to the routine of work tasks, but during leisure hours or during the weekend, people may feels a sense of "existential vacuum" and emptiness.[6]
In political philosophy, emptiness is associated with nihilism. Literary critic Georg Lukács (born in 1885) argued against the "spiritual emptiness and moral inadequacy of capitalism", and argued in favour of communism as an "entirely new type of civilization, one that promised a fresh start and an opportunity to lead a meaningful and purposeful life."[7]
The concept of "emptiness" was important to a "certain type of existentialist philosophy and some forms of the Death of God movement".[2] Existentialism, the "philosophic movement that gives voice to the sense of alienation and despair", which comes from "man’s recognition of his fundamental aloneness in an indifferent universe". People whose response to the sense of emptiness and aloneness is to give excuses live in bad faith; "people who face the emptiness and accept responsibility aim to live “authentic” lives".[8] Existentialists argue that "man lives in alienation from God, from nature, from other men, from his own true self." Crowded into cities, working in mindless jobs, and entertained by light mass media, we "live on the surface of life", so that even "people who seemingly have “everything” feel empty, uneasy, discontented."[9]
In cultures where a sense of emptiness is seen as a negative psychological condition, it is often associated with depression. As such, many of the same treatments are proposed: psychotherapy, group therapy, or other types of counselling. As well, people who feel empty may be advised to keep busy and maintain a regular schedule of work and social activities.[citation needed] Other solutions which have been proposed to reduce a sense of emptiness are getting a pet[10][11] or trying Animal-Assisted Therapy; getting involved in spirituality such as meditation or religious rituals and service; volunteering to fill time and brings social contact; doing social interactions, such as community activities, clubs, or outings; or finding a hobby or recreational activity to regain their interest in life.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emptiness
While Christianity and Western sociologists and psychologists view a state of emptiness as a negative condition, it is viewed as a positive state in some Eastern philosophies such as Buddhist philosophy and Taoism. However, the Buddhist term emptiness (Skt. shunyata) refers specifically to emptiness of inherent existence and not to nihilism,[3] nor to meditating on nothingness. Emptiness in Buddhism is also about the thought-free wakefulness that athletes and musicians might experience when they are in the "zone". This emptiness is not merely voidness but always contains cognizance. In Taoism, attaining a state of emptiness, is viewed as a state of stillness and placidity which is the "mirror of the universe" and the "pure mind".[4] Even outside of Eastern philosophy, some writers have suggested that people may use feelings of emptiness to liberate themselves for personal growth.[citation needed]
Contents [hide]
1 In Western culture
1.1 Sociology, philosophy, and psychology
1.2 Christianity
1.3 Fiction, film and design
2 In Eastern cultures
2.1 Buddhism
2.2 Taoism
3 See also
4 References
5 Further reading
[edit] In Western culture
[edit] Sociology, philosophy, and psychology
In the West, feeling "empty" is often viewed as a negative condition. Psychologist Clive Hazell, for example, attributes feelings of emptiness to problematic family backgrounds with abusive relationships and mistreatment.[5] He claims that some people who are facing a sense of emptiness try to resolve their painful feelings by becoming addicted to a drug or obsessive activity (be it compulsive sex or gambling) or engaging in "frenzied action" or violence. In sociology, a sense of emptiness is associated with social alienation of the individual. This sense of alienation may be suppressed while working, due to the routine of work tasks, but during leisure hours or during the weekend, people may feels a sense of "existential vacuum" and emptiness.[6]
In political philosophy, emptiness is associated with nihilism. Literary critic Georg Lukács (born in 1885) argued against the "spiritual emptiness and moral inadequacy of capitalism", and argued in favour of communism as an "entirely new type of civilization, one that promised a fresh start and an opportunity to lead a meaningful and purposeful life."[7]
The concept of "emptiness" was important to a "certain type of existentialist philosophy and some forms of the Death of God movement".[2] Existentialism, the "philosophic movement that gives voice to the sense of alienation and despair", which comes from "man’s recognition of his fundamental aloneness in an indifferent universe". People whose response to the sense of emptiness and aloneness is to give excuses live in bad faith; "people who face the emptiness and accept responsibility aim to live “authentic” lives".[8] Existentialists argue that "man lives in alienation from God, from nature, from other men, from his own true self." Crowded into cities, working in mindless jobs, and entertained by light mass media, we "live on the surface of life", so that even "people who seemingly have “everything” feel empty, uneasy, discontented."[9]
In cultures where a sense of emptiness is seen as a negative psychological condition, it is often associated with depression. As such, many of the same treatments are proposed: psychotherapy, group therapy, or other types of counselling. As well, people who feel empty may be advised to keep busy and maintain a regular schedule of work and social activities.[citation needed] Other solutions which have been proposed to reduce a sense of emptiness are getting a pet[10][11] or trying Animal-Assisted Therapy; getting involved in spirituality such as meditation or religious rituals and service; volunteering to fill time and brings social contact; doing social interactions, such as community activities, clubs, or outings; or finding a hobby or recreational activity to regain their interest in life.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emptiness
