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International Studies in Phenomenology and Philosophy

Book | Chapter

188934

Aging as becoming oneself

a philosophical ethics of late life

Thomas Rentsch

pp. 347-364

Abstract

In constructing an abstract ethics of reason, addressing a general rational subject, Enlightenment and modernity have forgotten old age. By contrast, the ancient ethics of happiness asked what a good life might be for people in specific life stages, such as the aged. Nowadays, it is important to regain this tradition. Thus this chapter poses the question: What does it mean for a finite being to age but still lead a good life? During the process of aging, a radicalization of our vulnerable corporality and finitude takes place. This becoming-oneself-in-aging must be understood not only in its ethical meaning, but also implies a correction of our modern understanding of man.

Publication details

Published in:

Scarre Geoffrey (2016) The Palgrave handbook of the philosophy of aging. Dordrecht, Springer.

Pages: 347-364

DOI: 10.1057/978-1-137-39356-2_20

Full citation:

Rentsch Thomas (2016) „Aging as becoming oneself: a philosophical ethics of late life“, In: G. Scarre (ed.), The Palgrave handbook of the philosophy of aging, Dordrecht, Springer, 347–364.