Existential hapax as tourist embodied transformation

This research note introduces the concept of existential hapax; a concept elaborated by French philosopher Michel Onfray, which contributes to understanding transformative experiences. Three phases characterise an existential hapax: a maturation phase, an intense embodied experience during which the old uneasy self crumbles to dust and ataraxia. It is argued that the concept of existential hapax is different from milder transformative tourism experiences. In an hapax, all three forms: the ego, mind and body are markedly altered. Also, an hapax is essentially a unique, irreversible, cathartic, corporeal experience, which epitomises the culmination of a life crisis. It is also argued that, for its eudaimonic character, the existential hapax has the potential to foster relational goods. To better understand such transformative experiences, it is suggested that emphasis should be put on individual biographies as well as on embodied, relational experiences beyond the tourist journey.