Springer Aging and Human Nature: Perspectives from Philosophical, Theological, and Historical Anthropology: 25 (International Perspectives on Aging, 25)

This book focuses on ageing as a topic of philosophical, theological, and historical anthropology. It provides a systematic inventory of fundamental theoretical questions and assumptions involved in the discussion of ageing and old age. What does it mean for human beings to grow old and become more vulnerable and dependent? How can we understand the manifestations of ageing and old age in the human body? How should we interpret the processes of change in the temporal course of a human life? What impact does old age have on the social dimensions of human existence? In order to tackle these questions, the volume brings together internationally distinguished scholars from the fields of philosophy, theology, cultural studies, social gerontology, and ageing studies. The collection of their original articles makes a twofold contribution to contemporary academic discourse. On one hand, it helps to clarify and deepen our understanding of ageing and old age by examining it from the fundamental point of view of philosophical, theological, and historical anthropology. At the same time, it also enhances and expands the discourses of philosophical, theological, and historical anthropology by systematically taking into account that human beings are essentially ageing creatures. Review “The diverse contributions of the present anthology provide an excellent overview of aging and old age as a fundamental anthropological phenomenon and open up current – mostly European – critical socio-gerontological research for international discussion. … It inspires the inclusion of an even bigger variety of philosophical traditions about their contributions to Aging Studies and ultimately demonstrates how Aging Studies can benefit from the discussion of different scientific traditions.” (Anna-Christina Kainradl, Age, Culture, Humanities, Issue 5, 2021) From the Back Cover This book focuses on ageing as a topic of philosophical, theological, and historical anthropology. It provides a systematic inventory of fundamental theoretical questions and assumptions involved in the discussion of ageing and old age. What does it mean for human beings to grow old and become more vulnerable and dependent? How can we understand the manifestations of ageing and old age in the human body? How should we interpret the processes of change in the temporal course of a human life? What impact does old age have on the social dimensions of human existence? In order to tackle these questions, the volume brings together internationally distinguished scholars from the fields of philosophy, theology, cultural studies, social gerontology, and ageing studies. The collection of their original articles makes a twofold contribution to contemporary academic discourse. On one hand, it helps to clarify and deepen our understanding of ageing and old age by examining it from the fundamental point of view of philosophical, theological, and historical anthropology. At the same time, it also enhances and expands the discourses of philosophical, theological, and historical anthropology by systematically taking into account that human beings are essentially ageing creatures. About the Author Prof. Dr. Mark Schweda is professor for Ethics in Medicine at the Department for Health Services Research, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Oldenburg. As a philosopher and bioethicist, his research focuses on philosophical, bioethical, and socio-cultural aspects of aging and the human life course as well as on questions of philosophical anthropology and political philosophy. Among his publications are the edited volumes “Planning Later Life. Bioethics and Public Health in Ageing Societies” (2017, together with Larissa Pfaller, Kai Brauer, Frank Adloff, and Silke Schicktanz) and “Popularizing Dementia. Public Expressions and Representations of Forgetfulness” (2015, together with Aagje Swinnen). Prof. Dr. Michael Coors is extraor