Burnout, often described as a state of extreme exhaustion and demotivation in the workplace, can have deeper existential dimensions. Hartmut Rosa, an influential German sociologist, provides important insights into the causes and possible solutions for this form of existential depression with his theory of social acceleration and resonance.
Social Acceleration and Alienation
Rosa argues that the constant acceleration of life in modern societies leads to alienation from the world, ourselves, and others. This acceleration encompasses not only technological advancements but also the increasing pace of life and social change. This constant movement paradoxically leads to a feeling of stagnation, as we are unable to meaningfully control or plan change.
Burnout as a Consequence
The result of this acceleration and alienation can manifest itself in the form of burnout. Rosa views burnout and related stress disorders as a crisis of exhaustion in an escalating society dominated by imperatives of competition, growth, and optimization. This condition is exacerbated by the inability to find or maintain a meaningful direction in life.
Resonance as a Solution
Rosa proposes the concept of resonance as an antidote. Resonance refers to the experience of being touched by the world in a way that elicits a reactive and transformative response within us. These experiences are uncontrollable and have the character of a gift that befalls us. They offer a deeper, more meaningful form of interaction with the world around us.
Three Axes of Resonance
Rosa identifies three axes of resonance: the horizontal axis (social relationships), the diagonal axis (relationship to objects and artworks), and the vertical axis (relationship to life, religion, and the universe). These axes provide a framework for understanding and improving our relationships with the world.
Psychotherapy and Coaching
In light of the challenges posed by social acceleration and alienation, psychotherapy can play an important role. It can help individuals understand and work through their inner conflicts that arise from these social circumstances. Additionally, coaching can specifically target the revival and practice of the vertical axis of resonance. This involves working on the relationship to life, spiritual or religious beliefs, and understanding of the universe.
Conclusion: Burnout and Depression
Burnout as existential depression demands a comprehensive consideration that takes into account both social and individual aspects. Rosa's theory of resonance offers a fruitful starting point for understanding the causes and finding possible ways to overcome these states. Through the integration of psychotherapy and coaching, individuals can learn to resonate with the world again, leading to a more fulfilled and healthier life. Burnout and depression is not only an individual problem but also a social one. The responsibility lies equally with individuals and society. Individual work on oneself is important, but influencing parties through elections, companies through trade unions, and critical consumption can also have a major social impact. Thus, overcoming burnout requires a combination of personal development and societal engagement.
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Sources
"Social Acceleration: A New Theory of Modernity", Hartmut Rosa, Columbia University Press, 2013.
"Resonance: A Sociology of Our Relationship to the World", Hartmut Rosa, Polity Press, 2016.
"Control Everything: On Hartmut Rosa’s 'The Uncontrollability of the World'", Artikel in der Los Angeles Review of Books.
"Hartmut Rosa says we’re running faster just to stay in place", Artikel in The Christian Century.
"The moral and political challenges of Hartmut Rosa’s theory of resonance", Artikel im Journal of Chinese Sociology.
"On Hartmut Rosa and the acceleration of social change in modernity", Artikel im JHI Blog.
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