How Poverty, Digital Technology, and Meritocracy are Contributing to an Age of Loneliness
How Loneliness Destroys Individuals and Society
How Lonely is South Korea?
How Will Humanity Combat Loneliness?

In January 2018, the world's first Minister of Loneliness was appointed in the UK. It's not surprising. According to a report titled 'Combating Loneliness' released in the UK, numerous individuals suffer from loneliness 'frequently or always', with an overwhelming number of elderly respondents stating that TV is their most valued companion. The report estimates that the economic cost of isolation and community disintegration to the UK economy would amount to approximately 52 trillion won. This underscores that loneliness is not merely an individual emotional issue.

Loneliness is not a problem unique to the UK. In Japan, elderly individuals voluntarily commit crimes to be incarcerated, to solve both their loneliness and livelihood problems. South Korea is also one of the loneliest countries. Twenty-six percent of the population complains of persistent loneliness, with the figure soaring to 40% among those in their 20s.

Currently, more people inhabit the world than ever before. And most reside in cities where they can easily discover the presence of others simply by opening their doors. Moreover, with the remarkable advancement of technology, we live in a 'hyper-connected society' where everyone is linked. Yet, many people still suffer from loneliness. Following the UK's example, Japan also appointed a 'Minister of Loneliness'. Why is that? Political economist Noreena Hertz named the 21st century 'the lonely century'.

We cannot individually understand the circumstances of those who are lonely or becoming lonely. However, it is possible to philosophically and socially/politically approach the reasons and processes why people become lonely. If people feel lonelier than ever before, there must be conditions unique to the 21st century that have brought us to this point. Discovering what those are is the task of philosophy, the author believes.

The first chapter begins by examining loneliness in historical and philosophical contexts. Until the 16th century, the English language had no word for loneliness, and this emotion emerged as something new with subsequent changes in society. Ultimately, the author points out that the causes making people lonelier in this age are poverty, digital technology, biases inherent in data, and meritocracy. Additionally, he explains how dangerous a world shrouded in loneliness can be with concrete examples and statistics. Finally, he suggests imagining together how to confront loneliness, even if somewhat clumsily.

The author, as a father who brought a young life into this world at a late age, wrote this book with a fervent hope that his child would not have to live in a lonely world. He hopes that many will join him on this journey.