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 elderlyand 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.

Autorentext

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.

Inhalt

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