Yes, I’m just trying to be provocative and I presume that is also Professor Christopher Peterson’s intent when he uses the phrase “there are no happy hermits” in his U. Michigan psychology lectures. But I’m quite certain I’m not the only happy hermit in the world, so I’ve decided to come to the defense of happy hermits everywhere (wherever you may be).
Dr. Peterson’s specialty, positive psychology, sounds great to me. It’s geared toward promoting what’s right with us rather than just trying to fix what’s wrong with us. I also realize Dr. Peterson’s “no happy hermits” statement is addressing the psychological dangers of social isolation – a valid point. But isolating and choosing solitude (temporarily or for longer periods) are two different behaviors and I think Psychologist Beth Waddell does a fair job of addressing those differences in her responsive post here.
Now, on to the happy hermit’s take:
First off, saying “There are no happy hermits” is about as scientifically valid as saying “There are no happy sasquatches.” Those illusive sasquatches (if they exist) are not making themselves available for research – but neither are us happy hermits. Not many hermits (happy or otherwise) seek psychological counseling – the happy ones are even less likely to do so.
Hermits (like sasquatches) are also unlikely to aggregate in quantifiable numbers near universities, so valid hermit research becomes even more problematic. I have no doubt one could recruit a few rugged grad students to scour the hills for rumors of hermitages. But even if the grad students find the hermits – how happy do you think the hermits will be about it? (See my post on curmudgeonly misanthropes here). I assure you even the happiest hermit can put on an unhappy face in defense of his privacy.
But perhaps my greatest caution to Dr. Peterson is this:
When I say “There are no happy psychologists,” it doesn’t really matter. I am neither a psychologist nor a scholar. I’m just some north woods blogger with not much of a following.
But Dr. Peterson is by definition an expert. Though it appears he is not an expert on hermits, he is considered somewhat of an expert on happiness. People are listening to Dr. Peterson and his words are contributing mightily to this ongoing bad hermit press.
C’mon, Dr. Peterson, at least temper the statement to: ”There aren’t many happy hermits.” It rolls off the lips with only one extra syllable and its statistical validity is guaranteed by the fact that there really aren’t that many hermits period.
Some hermits are happy, some probably are not. Most of us hermits find solitude more revitalizing than socializing. In solitude, we find clarity. Clarity is a good thing. For hermits, so is solitude.
Disclaimers: In the dim past of my youth, I seriously considered a counseling career and directed my education accordingly, though I ultimately chose sailing over grad school. I have personally used the services of two very good psychologists to help me through a couple of life’s inevitable rough patches – once while I was living in relative solitude, once while I was not living in solitude at all. I would not hesitate to seek psychological assistance again should I feel the need.
I wonder how Dr. Peterson became an expert in happiness.
If he is a buddhist, I might believe him.
‘Some hermits are happy, some probably are not. Most of us hermits find solitude more revitalizing than socializing. In solitude, we find clarity. Clarity is a good thing. For hermits, so is solitude.’
Very true.
Perhaps we hermits have simply found something more interesting than civilization. And civilization has found something more interesting than us. Dr. Peterson is narrowly focused on the misanthropes.