Portfolio Reading Set: Seeking Solitude
Question:
Barbour concludes that “Solitude at its best –
when it realizes its fullest ethical and spiritual value
–
is not
oriented toward escaping the world, but toward a different kind of participation in it, as made possible by
disengagement from ordinary social interactions.” He also notes that “Solitude is a return to the self, but … it
may also be a return to wha
t is most important in one’s life and an encounter with sources of meaning and truth
beyond oneself.” (
3
) Long and Averill also
“
identify
…
the kinds of benefits that solitude provides, and the
environmental settings, personality traits, and developmental capabilities that help mediate those benefits
”
(4).
In what ways do
Grumbach and/or Byrd seem to be experiencing the spiritual and/or psychological benefits
an
d deficits of solitude? Based on your analysis, what can you add to,
or how might you contradict the
c
onclusions of Barbour and
of
Long & Averill about the psychological and spiritual value of solitude?
Your
essay should make specific
reference
to all the
articles
in this reading set. In addition, define and
employ key terms that seem to be central to the arguments
of your sources and, therefore, to
your
argument
as
well. Among these key terms
are: Unity/fusion; spiritual; self-formation; authenticity; creativity; solitude;
loneliness; negative and positive freedom; cognitive structures; indirect or substitutive engagement.
Note
:
It is essential that you
include
in your essay specific references to the Barbour article, the Long & Averill
article, and Grumbach
’
s or Byrd
’
s memoir. (Or you may use both memoirs.)
You
must attribute any
material
that you summarize, quote, or
paraphrase to
its source.
Base your essay
on the
information contained
in the
set
of
readings, not on your own experience, on
outside
readings, or
on courses you have taken.
Plagiarism in a portfolio, whether it is in the new essay or
in one of the supporting
essays, will be treated in the
mann
er
as outlined in the Student Code of
Conduct,
which
can
be
downloaded
in PDF form at:
https://www.umb.edu/life_on_campus/policies/community/code
The consequences of violating these policies are serious and may
include
suspension or expulsion
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