Abstract
In this chapter, we consider what it means to be wise, and how this is affected by one’s age. We begin by considering the Deep Rationality Theory of wisdom and offer the Ordo Amoris model of wisdom instead as more comprehensive and satisfactory. This second model allows individuals to be wise at varying stages of life. Furthermore, the philosophy of aging and dying will be affected by one’s philosophy of nature and the prospects of life after death. The chapter concludes by addressing two goods associated with aging and wisdom: sempiternal contemplation, which allows us to maintain an appreciation for the ordo amoris throughout life, and loving solidarity with others, which provides us solace at the end of our lives.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Notes
- 1.
For background on the Ordo Amoris Model, see:
Chisholm, R.M. (1986). Brentano and Intrinsic Value. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Von Hildebrand, D. (1972). Ethics. Chicago: Franciscan Herald Press.
- 2.
We are assuming here a commonplace distinction of these age groups, and not relying on highly specific classifications, e.g., we are not adhering to the UN identity of a child as anyone who is 18 or younger, while an older person is anyone who is 60 or older.
References
Berger, P. (1970). A rumor of angels. New York: Doubleday.
Confucius. (2015). The analects (trans: Robert Eno). Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press.
Dilman, I. (2011). Philosophy as criticism: essays on Dennett, Searle, foot, Davidson, Nozick (ed.: Brian Davies and Mario von der Ruhr). London: Continuum.
Epicurus. (1997). Letter to menoeceus. In Brad Inwood and Lloyd Gerson (trans.), Hellenistic Philosophy: Introductory Readings (pp. 28–31). Second edition. Indianapolis: Hackett.
The new Oxford annotated bible with Apocrypha. College edition, New Revised Standard Translation. (2010). Fourth edition. New York: Oxford University Press.
Nozick, R. (1990). The examined life: philosophical meditations. New York: Simon and Schuster.
Plato. (2012). Phaedo. In C.D.C. Reeve (Ed.), A Plato reader: eight essential dialogues (pp. 116e5–117a3). Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing.
Ryan, S. (2012). Wisdom, knowledge and rationality. Acta Analytics, 27, 99–112.
Taylor, A.E. (1951). The faith of a moralist, vol 1. London: Macmillan.
Thoreau, H.D. (2004). Walden pond. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
Warren, J. (2004). Facing death. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Copyright information
© 2016 The Author(s)
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Taliaferro, C., Varie, M. (2016). Wisdom and Aging. In: Scarre, G. (eds) The Palgrave Handbook of the Philosophy of Aging. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-39356-2_15
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-39356-2_15
Published:
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-137-39355-5
Online ISBN: 978-1-137-39356-2
eBook Packages: Religion and PhilosophyPhilosophy and Religion (R0)