Abstract
Humanism, as a meaning frame, is defined by four characteristics: human agency; human
dignity; self-realization; and love of vulnerable, unique, and irreplaceable persons. A humanist
view of aging is in favor of healthy aging and life extension, but human life is and
remains inherently vulnerable (not just medically), and in a humanist view other aims are
regarded as deserving a higher priority than life extension for privileged social groups
with already a high (healthy) life expectancy. Humanist priorities are (1) a better social
organization of a person’s life course with a better balance among learning, working, caring,
and enjoying; (2) more social justice—for too long differences in socio-economic status
have been determinants of shocking differences in health and longevity; (3) development
and dissemination of cultural narratives that better accommodate the fulfillment of
essential meaning-needs of the elderly than the stereotyping decline- and age-defying
narratives); (4) less loneliness and social isolation.
Keywords: humanism, aging, life course, healthy life expectancy, agency, dignity, justice, self-realization, love,
loneliness.
| Original language | American English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | The Oxford Handbook of Humanism |
| Publisher | Oxford University Press |
| Number of pages | 35 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2020 |