To the question about the meaning of loneliness: the genesis of scientific thought

The paper is devoted to the analysis of the meaning of loneliness in Western scientific thought. The relevance of this problem is beyond doubt: for several decades, foreign researchers have developed a large number of approaches to the study of this phenomenon. In the sociological, cultural, and philosophical literature, there are numerous scientific works on this topic. The authors who study the genesis and development of loneliness pay attention to such aspects as a sharp leap in cultural evolution, an increasing level of social stratification, the alienation between people in megapolises, the lack of close emotional interactions, etc. These and other parameters are considered in the paper in the light of the features of the development of modern society. In addition, some prospects for study on the issue are outlined.