The Palgrave Handbook of the Philosophy of Aging

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 and the 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. Front Matter....Pages i-ix Introduction....Pages 1-10 Front Matter....Pages 11-11 How Old Is Old? Changing Conceptions of Old Age....Pages 13-30 Gerontology versus Geriatrics: Different Ways of Understanding Ageing and Old Age....Pages 31-48 The Physiology and Psychology of Aging: Should Aging Be Successful or Authentic?....Pages 49-68 Concepts of Time in Age and Aging....Pages 69-86 The Ageing of People and of Things....Pages 87-99 Aging in Religious Perspective....Pages 101-113 Aging in Classical Philosophy....Pages 115-134 Old Age in Existentialist Perspective....Pages 135-148 Ageing and Modern Jewish Writing and Thought....Pages 149-167 Front Matter....Pages 169-169 The Stories of Our Lives: Aging and Narrative....Pages 171-185 Coming to Terms with Old Age – and Death....Pages 187-206 Feeling One’s Age: A Phenomenology of Aging....Pages 207-224 Aging and the Maintenance of Dignity....Pages 225-245 Wisdom and Aging....Pages 247-260 Does Self-Identity Persist Into Old Age?....Pages 261-281 Dementia and the Nature of Mind....Pages 283-303 ‘This damnable, disgusting old age’: Ageing and (Being) One’s Body....Pages 305-324 Front Matter....Pages 325-325 Aging, Getting Older, and the Good Life....Pages 327-345 Aging as Becoming Oneself: A Philosophical Ethics of Late Life....Pages 347-364 Front Matter....Pages 325-325 Filial Duties....Pages 365-383 What do the Old Owe the Young?....Pages 385-400 Benefactors or Burdens? The Social Role of the Old....Pages 401-424 Virtue, Ageing and Failing....Pages 425-443 Ethical Issues in Dementia Care....Pages 445-468 Front Matter....Pages 469-469 Health Care for Old Age: Rights, Duties and Expectations....Pages 471-493 How Long Should People Work? The Debate Over the Retiring Age....Pages 495-516 The Transhumanist Prospect: Developing Technology to Extend the Human Lifespan....Pages 517-538 Back Matter....Pages 539-559 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 and the 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.Number of Illustrations and black and white illustrations 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 experience and existential character 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 The Meaning Of Aging -- The Experience Of Aging -- The Ethics Of Aging -- The Future Of Aging. Geoffrey Scarre, Editor. Palgrave Handbooks--front Book Cover. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.