Alienation and alterity: Age in the existentialist discourse on others

Area of Science:

• Interdisciplinary studies
• Social sciences
• Philosophy

Background:

• Aging Studies and Postcolonial Studies share theoretical foundations in existentialist and poststructuralist thought.
• Key figures like Sartre, Fanon, de Beauvoir, and Améry influenced both fields.
• Concepts of 'The Look,' alienation, and alterity are central to understanding the 'othering' of marginalized groups.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the foundational existentialist critique of racism and ageism.
• To explore the influence of existentialist philosophy on both Aging Studies and Postcolonial Studies.
• To re-negotiate possibilities for aging differently, free from societal 'othering'.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of existentialist philosophical texts (Sartre, Lévinas, Camus).
• Examination of foundational works in Postcolonial Studies (Fanon) and Aging Studies (Améry, de Beauvoir).
• Application of postcolonialist concepts (alienation, alterity) to aging discourse.

Main Results:

• Existentialism provides a critical framework for understanding epistemic violence in ageism and racism.
• The concept of 'The Look' reveals how dominant gazes render old people invisible and abject.
• Critiques of alienation and alterity challenge simplistic notions of 'Happy Gerontology' and advocate for responsible acknowledgment of otherness.

Conclusions:

• Shared existentialist roots offer a powerful lens for critiquing ageism and racism.
• Rethinking aging requires addressing the 'othering' inherent in dominant societal perspectives.
• This interdisciplinary approach can foster new possibilities for aging with dignity and self-representation.