A taxonomy of successful ageing conceptions

2021 ◽  
pp. 17-34
Author(s):  
Clemens Tesch-Römer ◽  
Hans-Werner Wahl ◽  
Suresh I. S. Rattan ◽  
Liat Ayalon
Keyword(s):  
Good Life ◽  
Capability Approach ◽  
Care Ethics ◽  
Dominant Model ◽  
Successful Ageing ◽  
American Pragmatism ◽  
Ageing Research ◽  
Gerontological Research

The authors propose a taxonomy of successful ageing conceptions organized according to five selected models of successful ageing used in ageing research. The models are rooted—explicitly or implicitly—in philosophical traditions describing a good life. The dominant model in gerontological research, Rowe and Kahn’s model of successful ageing, follows the tradition of American pragmatism, emphasizing practical effects of concepts and ideas. In addition to this model, four additional models of successful ageing are introduced and discussed: hedonic, eudaimonic, capability approach, and care ethics-based, each of them coming from different philosophical schools. The five models are compared according to the following criteria: age relevance, inclusiveness, locus of responsibility, normativity, and measurability. The taxonomy lies the ground for all the arguments that follow in the remainder of the book.

Pragmatism

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin McKenna ◽  
Maurice Hamington
Keyword(s):  
Care Ethics ◽  
Feminist Philosophy ◽  
Intellectual Tradition ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
American Pragmatism ◽  
Jane Addams ◽  
Utopian Thinking ◽  
History Of ◽  
American Intellectual ◽  
Feminist Work

This chapter offers an account of central issues and themes in feminist philosophical engagements with the uniquely American intellectual tradition often referred to as American pragmatism. After introducing pragmatism, the foundational feminist work and influence of Jane Addams is presented, followed by a discussion of other noteworthy contributors to feminist pragmatism. Significant themes in feminist pragmatism including race and identity, epistemology, care ethics, utopian thinking, and environmentalism are explored. The chapter addresses the extent to which feminist work has changed or entered the mainstream of the American pragmatism, as well as current and future directions of feminist pragmatism. In addition to offering a history of the development of feminist pragmatism, the chapter considers how feminism is a resource for pragmatism and how pragmatism is a resource for feminist philosophy.

Individual strategies for successful ageing

2021 ◽  
pp. 37-42
Author(s):  
Clemens Tesch-Römer ◽  
Hans-Werner Wahl ◽  
Suresh I. S. Rattan ◽  
Liat Ayalon
Keyword(s):  
External Factors ◽  
Successful Ageing ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Ageing Research ◽  
Primary Responsibility ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Individual Strategies

Individual strategies are necessary for successful ageing. Three of the models discussed in the previous chapter—the pragmatic, hedonic, and eudaimonic models—put particular emphasis on individuals’ striving to reach their desired endpoints: to be fit, autonomous and engaged; to be happy; or to be wise, respectively. Nevertheless, the primary responsibility for successful ageing lies mainly in the hands of the individual, although external factors may be in place to support the individual’s effort to age successfully. At present, ageing research has focused to a large extent on individual strategies and resources for successful to the individual level. The main results from ageing research are discussed in this chapter.

Widening participation; widening capability

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie Walker
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Human Capital ◽  
Good Life ◽  
Capability Approach ◽  
Widening Participation ◽  
Student Voices ◽  
Research Interviews ◽  
Participation In Higher Education ◽  
Sen’S Capability Approach ◽  
The Way

This paper proposes that widening participation in higher education might distinctively be conceptualised beyond economically driven human capital outcomes, as a matter of widening capability. Specifically, the paper proposes forming the capability of students to become and to be 'strong evaluators', able to make reflexive and informed choices about what makes a good life for each of them. Evaluating equality and justice in higher education, and specifically the case of 'widening participation', is then greatly advanced by considering the conceptual tools provided by Amartya Sen's capability approach. The paper therefore elaborates on Sen's ideas and demonstrates their applicability in relation to widening participation student voices gathered in research interviews. Important though Sen's ideas are, there are barriers that stand in the way of taking up these ideas educationally. While three such barriers are acknowledged in the paper, four resources of possibility for recovering widening participation as capability formation from neoliberal and other forms of instrumentalism are also sketched.

scholarly journals What is a “Good Life”: Protocol for a qualitative study to explore the viewpoint of older persons

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. e0261741
Author(s):  
Hervé Michel ◽  
Hélène Prévôt-Huille ◽  
Raphaël Koster ◽  
Fiona Ecarnot ◽  
Zoé Grange ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Good Life ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
General Definition ◽  
Successful Ageing ◽  
Living Well ◽  
Wide Range

Introduction Over the last fifteen years, Living Labs have been on the rise in Europe to bridge the gap between service providers, and the needs of end-users, and to speed up innovation, particularly in the field of healthcare and ageing. Ageing tends to be considered by institutions as a set of risks to be managed for older persons, illustrated in particular via the concepts of “ageing well” or “successful ageing”. In this context, this project aims to define the meaning and the conditions for a good life from the point of view of older persons themselves, thereby improving institutions’ recognition and support of older persons’ ways of living well, rather than imposing a general definition of “successful ageing” based on functional capacity. Methods and analysis This qualitative study is designed as an action research underpinned by a Living-Lab approach to co-creation. The aims are to: define the conditions for a good life as accurately as possible with older persons (Step 1); share these findings with different healthcare and service providers to adjust existing services or create new ones (Step 2); and disseminate them more broadly within the regions under study and across the scientific community (Step 3). During Step 1, the features of a “good life” will be analysed in a socio-anthropological study based on semi-directed interviews and observations made in the homes of 70 elderly people living in a wide range of accommodation types and regions. In accordance with French legislation, and as confirmed by our formal Ethics Committee, this study does not require approval. The dissemination stage is integrated into the design of this action research, and notably will provide for the appropriation of research findings by the partners of this study, by setting up creativity sessions (Step 2) and by sharing the general findings through panel discussions bringing together regional and national stakeholders (Step 3).

History of successful ageing

2021 ◽  
pp. 3-8
Author(s):  
Clemens Tesch-Römer ◽  
Hans-Werner Wahl ◽  
Suresh I. S. Rattan ◽  
Liat Ayalon
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Models ◽  
Successful Ageing ◽  
Human History ◽  
Ageing Research ◽  
History Of

The notion of successful ageing has been one of the most successful but also one of the most controversial concepts of ageing research over the last 60 years. Attempts to uncover the secret of successful ageing have often resembled something like a quest for the Golden Fleece. And that quest continues within contemporary gerontology—so far with no end in sight. As shown in this introductory chapter, human history is full of strivings to live a youthful life without end. Still, controversies over successful ageing continue. In the following chapters of the book various conceptual models are analysed, and strategies and interventions for successful ageing discussed.

scholarly journals Successful ageing as a persistent priority in ageing research

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans-Werner Wahl ◽  
Dorly Deeg ◽  
Howard Litwin
Keyword(s):  
Successful Ageing ◽  
Ageing Research

scholarly journals Beyond Equality of What: Sen and neutrality

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 226-235
Author(s):  
Christopher Robert Lowry
Keyword(s):  
Good Life ◽  
Capability Approach ◽  
Third Space ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Liberal Theory ◽  
The Good Life ◽  
Primary Goods ◽  
Political Liberal ◽  
Sen’S Capability Approach ◽  
The Capability Approach

Based on a close reading of the debate between Rawls and Sen on primary goods versus capabilities, I argue that liberal theory cannot adequately respond to Sen’s critique within a conventionally neutralist framework. In support of the capability approach, I explain why and how it defends a more robust conception of opportunity and freedom, along with public debate on substantive questions about well-being and the good life. My aims are: (i) to show that Sen’s capability approach is at odds with Rawls’s political liberal version of neutrality; (ii) to carve out a third space in the neutrality debate; and (iii) to begin to develop, from Sen’s approach, the idea of public value liberalism as a position that falls within that third space.

scholarly journals El aporte de la filosofía y la cultura a la vida buena de un cuerpo precario

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (68) ◽  
pp. 659-684
Author(s):  
Andrea Diáz Genis
Keyword(s):  
Human Development ◽  
Good Life ◽  
Capability Approach ◽  
Capabilities Approach ◽  
Martha Nussbaum ◽  
The Good Life ◽  
Creative Imagination ◽  
Human Formation ◽  
Palabras Clave ◽  
Self Knowledge

Resumen: ¿Se puede llevar un buena vida a partir de una vida mala? A partir de esta pregunta que se hace Butler, tenemos el propósito de reflexionar sobre el caso de César González (ex “pibe chorro” de la villa miseria en Argentina que llega a salir de esa situación y se convierte en escritor y cineasta), a partir del enfoque de capacidades de Martha Nussbaum y la importancia que tiene en la formación humana el cuidado de sí (concepto trabajado por nosotros a partir del último Foucault),  la inquietud y el autoconocimiento. Es también una reflexión sobre la importancia de la filosofía ligada al desarrollo humano, al pensamiento crítico y la imaginación creativa y es una reflexión sobre el alcance y la relevancia que tiene la educación y la cultura en la transformación de los sujetos y su vida. Palabras-clave: Vidas precarias. Enfoque de capacidades. Cuidado de sí. César González. The contribution of philosophy and culture to the good life of a precarious body Abstract: Can you left a good life from a bad life? From this question asked by Butler, we have the purpose of reflecting on the case of César Gonzalez ( ex criminal of the misery village in Argentina that comes out of that situation and becomes a writer and filmmaker). Based on Martha Nussbaum's capabilities approach and the importance of caring for oneself in human formation (concept worked by us since the last Foucault), self-care and self-knowledge. It is also a reflection on the importance of philosophy linked to human development, critical thinking and creative imagination and is a reflection on the scope and relevance of education and culture in the transformation of subjects and their lives. Keywords: Precarious lives. Capability Approach. Self of care. César González. A contribuição da filosofia e da cultura para a boa vida de um corpo precário Resumo: Você pode levar uma vida boa no meio de uma vida ruim? A partir desta pergunta feita por Butler, temos o objetivo de refletir sobre o caso de César González (ex-criminoso da vila da miséria na Argentina que sai dessa situação e se torna escritor e cineasta), com base na abordagem As capacidades de Martha Nussbaum e a importância do autocuidado na formação humana (conceito trabalhado por nós desde o último Foucault), inquietação e autoconhecimento. É também uma reflexão sobre a importância da filosofia ligada ao desenvolvimento humano, pensamento crítico e imaginação criativa e uma reflexão sobre o escopo e a relevância da educação e cultura na transformação dos sujeitos e de suas vidas. Palavras-chave: Vidas precárias. Foco nas capacidades. Autocuidado. César González.

scholarly journals Perspectives on ageing, later life and ethnicity: ageing research in ethnic minority contexts

2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 897-916 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARIA ZUBAIR ◽  
MERIEL NORRIS
Keyword(s):  
Ethnic Minority ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Research Participants ◽  
Ageing Research ◽  
Gerontological Research ◽  
Main Emphasis ◽  
Research Agendas ◽  
Made In

ABSTRACTThis special issue focuses broadly upon questions and themes relating to the current conceptualisations, representations and use of ‘ethnicity’ (and ethnic minority experiences) within the field of social gerontology. An important aim of this special issue is to explore and address the issue of ‘otherness’ within the predominant existing frameworks for researching those who are ageing or considered aged, compounded by the particular constructions of their ethnicity and ethnic ‘difference’. The range of theoretical, methodological and empirical papers included in this collection provide some critical insights into particular facets of the current research agendas, cultural understandings and empirical focus of ethnic minority ageing research. The main emphasis is on highlighting the ways in which ethnic cultural homogeneity and ‘otherness’ is often assumed in research involving older people from ethnic minority backgrounds, and how wider societal inequalities are concomitantly (re)produced, within (and through) research itself – for example, based on narrowly defined research agendas and questions; the assumed age and/or ethnic differences of researchers vis-à-vis their older research participants; the workings of the formalised ethical procedures and frameworks; and the conceptual and theoretical frameworks employed in the formulation of research questions and interpretation of data. We examine and challenge here the simplistic categorisations and distinctions often made in gerontological research based around research participants' ethnicity, age and ageing and assumed cultural differences. The papers presented in this collection reveal instead the actual complexity and fluidity of these concepts as well as the cultural dynamism and diversity of experiences within ethnic groups. Through an exploration of these issues, we address some of the gaps in existing knowledge and understandings as well as contribute to the newly emerging discussions surrounding the use of particular notions of ethnicity and ethnic minority ageing as these are being employed within the field of ageing studies.

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