THE ELDERLY IN SOCIETY
APPENDIX 5
TAKING the TOPIC FURTHER
If there enough interest to take this topic to greater depth during next year’s P&A meetings there
are many issues & questions that could be picked up for short study & presentations of a
philosophical or anthropological nature.
Apart from taking a section of the paper to explore further, here are some suggestions which would
fall within these disciplines:
General
Old age raises the issue of the relativity of time. It feels like it has speeded up for us. As we have
experienced more of it than we have left so do we come to hope for more time in an after life? Has
else does time play tricks with us now? [Could also build on Julian Wards presentation on Time in
2012]
What is the symbolism of the names given to the elderly by society? They certainly seem to be
setting older people apart. How might this have arisen? How does it lead to the way they are
treated? How might such values be reversed?
As we age, do we move from I-It [analytic thinking] to I-Thou [of Buber]? Should we use both
rational & intuitive brain function better?
There is now evidence that wisdom may accompany ageing – socioemotional selectivity theory –
possibly brought about by awareness of ‘how much time is left’ rather than how many years have I
lived. Emotional intensity & reactivity seem to be better regulated & reserved for situations that
require it, priorities switch from acquisition to strengthening existing knowledge & skills & positivity
is preserved over negativity. Despite the disadvantages of ageing, older people seem generally as
happy as or happier than younger adults.
Clean slate theory & environmental influences. What have we learned from our life that suggests
how much humans inherit [e.g. individual temperament evident at birth] compared with relative
influences of our world [e.g. adaptation to society’s induction, response to continual experiences]?
Self & Society
What is the purpose of having a longer old age? What might society gain from it? In terms of your
personal journey, what may you yet achieve?
Diamond’s asserted in the recording of ‘The World until Yesterday’ that
 ‘The problem for society as a whole is to use older people for what they are good at & what
they like doing’
 ‘The challenge for older people themselves is to be introspective, to notice the changes in
themselves & to find activities utilising the talents that they now possess’.
Are you aware as you age of moving away from Jung’s idea of involvement in society & towards
‘individuation’? What does this mean & how does it feel?
Are any new & positive roles emerging that are beneficial to both us & our community?
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THE ELDERLY IN SOCIETY
Social & Moral Issues
If entitlement to human rights only attaches to those with the ability to assert their own value, then
‘who are entitled to be treated justly?’ & who ‘should be regarded as disposable’? [As per
Professor Gormally]
Is the medicalisation of old age treating our bodies [& therefore us] as though they were machines?
Sonia has recently expressed this concern. Former GPs in the group may have insight into this
from their professional knowledge & as trusted confidents of the elderly.
Do we agree with the Fijian, who was disgusted that adult children ‘throw away your own parents’?
What are the realistic options in our society?
Since the elderly are living so long, ought there to be some preparatory, status-giving rites of
passage to help us enter old age & society accept us better? What might they be & what would it
feel like?
Regarding the way the young view the elderly, is there merit in attempting bridge building in intergenerational understanding? How might we do that to regain respect of younger people?
How could we engender in our grandchildren a good attitude to the elderly? e.g. educating them
that growing old is the natural progression of being human; help them to tap into elder’s
accumulated knowledge and historical accounts.
Crewe & Nantwich
Why are we here in the Philosophy & Anthropology Group? We come voluntarily, from many
backgrounds, bring much knowledge, many opinions & interests. We are [mostly] respectful in
listening to each other & gain socially too. Is this worth discussing further?
Is it worth investigating the situation of the elderly in Crewe & Nantwich? Consider if there are
issues so close to us that raise social, moral or political questions? It will need some information on
demographics & activities & plight.
CD/compiled September 2013
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