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Aging as Becoming Oneself: A Philosophical Ethics of Late Life

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The Palgrave Handbook of the Philosophy of Aging

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.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Philosophy, TU Dresden, Germany

    Thomas Rentsch

Authors
  1. Thomas Rentsch
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Correspondence to Thomas Rentsch .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Philosophy, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom

    Geoffrey Scarre

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© 2016 The Author(s)

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Rentsch, T. (2016). Aging as Becoming Oneself: A Philosophical Ethics of Late Life. In: Scarre, G. (eds) The Palgrave Handbook of the Philosophy of Aging. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-39356-2_20

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