The Palgrave Handbook of the Philosophy of Aging

by Geoffrey Scarre (Editor)

Overview

This comprehensive handbook presents the major philosophical perspectives on the nature, prospects, problems and social context of age and aging in an era of dramatically increasing life-expectancy. Drawing on the latest research in gerontology, medicine and the social sciences, its twenty-seven chapters examine our intuitions and common sense beliefs about the meaning of aging and explore topics such as the existential experience of old age, aging in different philosophical and religious traditions, the place of the elderly in contemporary society and the moral rights and responsibilities of the old. This book provides innovative and leading-edge research that will help to determine the parameters of the philosophy of aging for years to come.

Key Features

•       Structured in four parts addressing the meaning, experience, ethics and future of aging

•       Comprehensive ethical coverage including of the retirement age, health-care for the elderly andthe transhumanist life-extending project


•       Focused treatment of the dementia ‘epidemic’ and the philosophy of the mind and self

The Palgrave Handbook of the Philosophy of Aging is an essential resource for scholars, researchers and advanced students in the philosophy of the self, moral and political philosophy, bioethics, phenomenology, narrative studies and philosophy of economics. It is also an ideal volume for researchers, advanced students and professionals in gerontology, health care, psychology, sociology and population studies.  

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781349679010
Publisher:	Palgrave Macmillan UK
Publication date:	05/03/2019
Edition description:	Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 2016
Pages:	559
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)

About the Author

Geoffrey Scarre is Professor of Philosophy at Durham University, UK. In recent years he has taught and published mainly in moral theory and applied ethics. His books include Utilitarianism (1996), After Evil: Responding to Wrongdoing (2004), Death (2007) and On Courage (2010). He is a director of the Durham University Centre for the Ethics of Cultural Heritage.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction.- 2. Part 1 The Meaning of Aging. 3. 1. How old is old? Changing conceptions of old age.- 4. 2. Gerontology versus geriatrics: different ways of understanding aging and old age.- 5. 3. The physiology and psychology of aging: should aging be successful or authentic?.- 6. 4. Concepts of time in age and aging.- 7. 5.The aging of people and of things.- 8. 6. Aging in religious perspective.- 9. 7.Aging in classical philosophy.- 10. 8.Old age in existentialist perspective.- 11. 9. Aging and modern Jewish writing and thought.- 12. Part 2 The Experience of Aging. 13. 13.The stories of our lives: aging and narrative.- 14. 11.Coming to terms with old age – and death.- 15. 13.Feeling one’s age: a phenomenology of aging.- 16. 13.Aging and the maintenance of dignity.- 17. 14.Wisdom and aging.- 18. 15.Does self-identity persist into old age?- 19. 16.Dementia and the nature of mind.- 20. 17.‘This damnable, disgusting old age: aging and (being) one’s body.

-21. Part 3 The Ethics of Aging. 22. 18. Aging, getting older and the good life.- 23. 19.Aging as becoming oneself: a philosophical ethics of later life.- 24. 20.Filial duties.- 25. 21.What do the old owe the young?.- 26. 22.Benefits or burdens? The social role of the old.- 27. 23.Virtue, aging and failing.- 28. 24.Ethical issues in dementia care.- 29. Part 4 The Future of Aging 5. Health care for old age: rights, duties and expectations.- 30. 26.How long should people work?.- 31. 27. The transhumanist prospect: developing technology to extend the human lifespan.- Index

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“In The Palgrave Handbook of the Philosophy of Aging, Geoffrey Scarre has assembled an impressively wide-ranging collection of new essays on the philosophy of aging. May you live long enough to find a better ‘geranthology’!” (David Benatar, Head of the Department of Philosophy, University of Cape Town, South Africa)

“What does it mean to be old? Is there such a thing as successful aging? This very diverse collection of essays covers a long history of reflection on the subject, from the Biblical observation of a time to be born and a time to die and the classical philosophical view that links old age to wisdom and moral virtue. Contemporary science has brought new dimensions to the aging concept while philosophy of mind can provide insights into the unwelcome condition of dementia. There is much to be gained from this book both for the scholar and the interested amateur – this is a subject in which we all have a part to play.” (Brenda Almond, Emeritus Professor of Moral and Social Philosophy, University of Hull, UK)

"A thoughtful and rich exploration of the philosophical issues and questions surrounding ageing. Those who think that aging is purely a topic for the biomedical sciences will find themselves mistaken. The book offers a rich vein of conceptual and philosophical reflection, worthy of sustained attention.” (Havi Carel, Professor of Philosophy, University of Bristol, UK)

Editorial Reviews

The Palgrave Handbook of the Philosophy of Aging is well executed and remedies a fault in the literature. I recommend it for scholars in aging studies, regardless of whether they are psychologists, sociologists, geriatricians, or other. Among its uses are as a general text for philosophy of aging courses and as a reference for persons who work in research or a profession associated with aging.” (Lauren S. Seifert, PsycCRITIQUES, Vol. 62 (26), June, 2017)

From the Publisher