[Renaud]

Being an hermit doesn't automatically make you insightful. There are various reasons for someone to live away from everyone else. Some of these have to do with mental health.

I have the sentiment that without some philosophical reason underpinning and supporting that choice, and without good self-control and a balanced mind, you are more likely to waste away than gain any meaningful insight.

Solitude is great. Loneliness sucks.

[AnimalMuppet]

  It's the fear of silence
  That gives us away
  Cause when we're alone
  We have to hear
  What our aching hearts try to say.
  -- Randy Stonehill

If you're looking for a chance to see what's going on in your heart, solitude can be great, and can give some insight. If you're just running from people, well, when you go to solitude you still bring one person with you - yourself. That can ruin the peacefulness of the solitude...

[Retric]

There is some wisdom to be gained by comparing such people with society.

In a group people tend to conform to the groups ideas. But, on their own most people are not going to come up with such ideas on their own. Common points of divergence are worth considering.

PS: Travel used to provide similar benefits, but people have gotten a lot more homogenized over time. I assume truly alien society's would provide even better contrast.

[slothtrop]

Well said. Loneliness is easily the driving force behind widespread depression.