Anomie describes the breakdown of social norms and values. Emile Durkheim popularised the term and suggested it arose from a mismatch between individual aspirations and normal social mores. Moving beyond anomie and achieving happiness requires strength of mind and clarity of thought.
I’m a psychiatrist running a portfolio career that includes clinical work, teaching (including to prospective doctors), life coaching, as well as other business ventures. I’ve found that most intelligent people suffer at least a mild form of anomie as they try to square the circle between their understanding of the world and what society tries to force them to believe.
This blog represents some of my thoughts on a range of topics. It tries to get beyond surface expectations and social mores, to a more meaningful understanding of the world. Though there are plenty of more frivolous entries on whatever catches my eye too!
I hope you enjoy reading it,
Chris.
