Aging and the Ethics of Authenticity.

Area of Science:

• Philosophy
• Gerontology
• Sociocultural Studies

Background:

• Dominant narratives about aging often focus on decline or defying age.
• Sociocultural narratives shape societal perceptions and individual experiences of later life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the philosophical concept of authenticity as a resource for creating meaningful sociocultural narratives about aging.
• To challenge ageist stereotypes by proposing a more nuanced understanding of later life.

Main Methods:

• Philosophical discourse analysis drawing on classical and contemporary thinkers.
• Examination of authenticity's potential to address both growth and vulnerability in aging.
• Review of existing gerontological literature for connections to authenticity.

Main Results:

• Authenticity discourse can acknowledge positive potentials for growth in later life.
• It supports the integration of existential vulnerability and finitude inherent in old age.
• The language of authenticity is emerging in gerontological thought, indicating its relevance.

Conclusions:

• Authenticity provides a valuable philosophical lens for developing counter-narratives to ageism.
• It enables a balanced perspective on aging, encompassing development and acceptance of limitations.
• Four key aspects of authenticity discourse can contribute to viable cultural narratives for later life.