Book | Chapter
Aging, getting older, and the good life
pp. 327-345
Abstract
I distinguish between aging as merely getting chronologically older and aging as a process involving change. I then consider some prominent theories of value (hedonism, desire-satisfaction theory, and objective state theory) and examine how each theory evaluates the value or lack thereof involved in aging in either sense. I also discuss people's subjective attitudes toward aging and show how the facts of such attitudes will play a role in each theory in determining the actual value of aging. I conclude by suggesting that everyone, young and old alike, would benefit from a cultural shift away from our current obsession with youth.
Publication details
Published in:
Scarre Geoffrey (2016) The Palgrave handbook of the philosophy of aging. Dordrecht, Springer.
Pages: 327-345
DOI: 10.1057/978-1-137-39356-2_19
Full citation:
Jeske Diane (2016) „Aging, getting older, and the good life“, In: G. Scarre (ed.), The Palgrave handbook of the philosophy of aging, Dordrecht, Springer, 327–345.