Political philosophy and loneliness

Abstract

Loneliness has received little attention in philosophy compared to other academic disciplines, including within the subfield of political philosophy on which this article focuses. However, growing political concern — exemplified by initiatives like the UK’s End Loneliness campaign and Japan’s appointment of a Minister for Loneliness — along with the pioneering work of Kimberly Brownlee, has increased interest from political philosophers over the past decade. This review examines recent discussions at the intersection of political philosophy and loneliness, structured around three key themes: (i) the political challenges of loneliness, including its alleged links to extremism, misogyny, and social inequality; (ii) the extent of state responsibility in addressing loneliness; and (iii) the moral (un)desirability of various policy interventions aimed at mitigating loneliness, such as social policies, urban planning reforms, and digital solutions.