Existential Boredom Re-examined: Boredom as Authenticity and Life-Affirmation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65828/jq916a92Keywords:
Ambiguity, authenticity, boredom, existentialism, Heidegger, life-affirmation, nothingness, SartreAbstract
This paper takes issue with interpretations of boredom as an existential mood that must be avoided. Through addressing some of the inconsistencies in Heidegger's account of boredom, and relatedly exploring its intricate relationship with nothingness, this paper argues that profound boredom is a primary route to authenticity and life-affirmation.
Complete access to the full archive of articles is available with SEA membership. Existing members: please log in with your membership password to view full text. Non-members can buy a single article or issue by registering an account on this website, then selecting a padlocked full text button to purchase.
References
Anderson, T. C. (1993). Sartre's Two Ethics: From Authenticity to Integral Humanity. Illinois: Open Court Publishing Company.
Barnett, L. (2012) 'Tedium, ennui, and atonement: existential perspectives on boredom'. In Barnett, L. and Madison, G. (eds). Existential Therapy: Legacy, Vibrancy and Dialogue. London: Routledge. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203147658
Beauvoir, S. D. (1976) The Ethics of Ambiguity. Trans. Frechtman, B. New York: Citadel Press.
Cooper, D. E. (1999). Existentialism: A Reconstruction, 2nd ed. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing.
Frankl, V. E. (2004a). The Doctor and the Soul: From Psychotherapy to Logotherapy. Trans. Winston, R. and Winston, C. London: Souvenir Press.
Frankl, V. E. (2004b). Man's Search For Meaning: The Classic Tribute to Hope from the Holocaust. Trans. Lasch, I. London: Rider.
Heidegger, M (1956). 'What is Metaphysics?'. Trans. Hull, R. F. C. and Crick, A. In Heidegger (ed) Existence and Being. London: Vision, 1956.
Heidegger, M. (1995). The Fundamental Concepts of Metaphysics: World, Finitude, Solitude. Trans. McNeill, W. and Walker, N. Bloomington: Indiana University Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctvswx8mg
Heidegger, M. (2000). Introduction to Metaphysics. Trans. Fried, G. and Polt, R.. London: Yale University Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.12987/9780300161434
Kierkegaard, S. A. (2005). 'Either/Or, A Fragment of Life, I'. In Hong, H. V. & Hong, E. H. (eds) The Essential Kierkegaard. Princeton: Princeton University Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/9781400847198
Lars, S. (2005). A Philosophy of Boredom. London: Reaktion Books.
Nietzsche, F. W. (1974). The Gay Science. Trans. Kaufmann, W. New York: Vintage Books.
Nietzsche, F. W. (2000). 'The Birth of Tragedy'. Trans. Kaufman, W. In Kaufmann, W. (ed) Basic Writings of Nietzsche. New York: The Modern Library.
Nietzsche, F. W. (2003). Thus Spoke Zarathustra: A Book for Everyone and No One. Trans. Hollingdale, R. J. London: Penguin Books.
Sartre, J. P. (1984) War Diaries: Notes from a Phoney War, November 1939-March 1940. London: Verso. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/20042414
Sartre, J. P. (1995) Anti-Semite and Jew. Trans. Becker, G. J. New York: Schoken Books.
Sartre, J. P. (2000). Nausea. Trans. Baldick, R. London: Penguin.
Sartre, J. P. (2002). Sketch for a Theory of the Emotions. Trans. Mairet, P. London: Routledge. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203165867
Sartre, J. P. (2003). Being and Nothingness: An Essay on Phenomenological Ontology. Trans. Barnes, H. E. London: Routledge. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429434013
Sartre, J. P. (2007). Existentialism & Humanism. Trans. Mairet, P. London: Methuен.
Svendsen, L. (2005). A Philosophy of Boredom. London: Reaktion Books.
Yalom, I. (1980). Existential Psychotherapy. USA: Basic Books.
Yalom, I. (1991) Love's Executioner: And Other Tales of Psychotherapy. London: Penguin Books
