Lack, Escape, and Hypervirtuality

On the Existential and Phenomenological Conditions for Addiction

Bibliographic Data

ID22134553
AuthorsDaniel O’shiel (0000-0002-5521-2903, Diego Portales University, corresponding author)
Year2022
Volume7
Issue5
Pages112
Publication date2022-10-09
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePhilosophies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2409-9287 • E-ISSN: 2409-9287
PublisherMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/philosophies7050112
OpenAlexW4303961823
LanguageEN
References cited21

This article provides the existential and phenomenological conditions for addiction by applying the concepts of lack, escape and ‘hypervirtuality’ in new ways to the subject matter. There are five sections. The first is a brief review of some of the most relevant literature. The second lists the main general characteristics of addiction, gleaned from the literature, as well as discussing a possible general definition, namely wants that have become (damaging) needs. The third provides the existential conditions required for addiction to be understood as a human phenomenon to which we are all susceptible, albeit to greatly differing degrees and objects. Here I stress the ideas of transcendence, desire, lack and escape one finds in the early writings of Sartre and Levinas. The fourth fills this idea out with a key phenomenological notion of hypervirtuality, inspired by Husserl. This latter, fifthly and finally, explains the rising power of new technologies and how many are increasing and providing new opportunities for addictive behaviour

Addiction · Epistemology · Existentialism · Phenomenon · Computer Science · Mental Health and Psychiatry · Neuroscience · Phenomenology and Existential Philosophy · Philosophy · Philosophy, Ethics, and Existentialism · Psychology