Learning from Elders about Autonomy, Meaningfulness, and Relationships
In this essay, we appeal to conceptual and empirical research to establish that autonomy and meaningfulness, when understood concretely and realistically, remain possible for frail and dependent elders. Contrary to ageist cultural attitudes, relationships render frailty and dependence compatible wit...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-08-01
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| Series: | Religions |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/13/8/750 |
| _version_ | 1797408176593698816 |
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| author | Andrew Stumpf Erin McKenzie Vivian Nguyen |
| author_facet | Andrew Stumpf Erin McKenzie Vivian Nguyen |
| author_sort | Andrew Stumpf |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In this essay, we appeal to conceptual and empirical research to establish that autonomy and meaningfulness, when understood concretely and realistically, remain possible for frail and dependent elders. Contrary to ageist cultural attitudes, relationships render frailty and dependence compatible with the exercise of autonomous agency and with a life of meaning. This conclusion is important not only for the goal of supporting frail elders but also for developing a realistic understanding of the way relationships and spirituality are required for autonomy and meaning in the life of any human person, regardless of what state of dependence or independence they may be in. Each of us develops and continues to exist in radical dependence on others. Seeing the way autonomy and meaning manifest in the context of frailty and dependence thus helps us better appreciate what these crucial aspects of being human mean for all of us. In other words, we can learn important lessons about autonomy, meaningfulness, and relationship from the experience of our elders, and in particular from those who experience significant frailty and dependence. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T03:54:28Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6e03d97d46f24de1a441da5d734efada |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2077-1444 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T03:54:28Z |
| publishDate | 2022-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Religions |
| spelling | doaj.art-6e03d97d46f24de1a441da5d734efada2023-12-03T14:23:12ZengMDPI AGReligions2077-14442022-08-0113875010.3390/rel13080750Learning from Elders about Autonomy, Meaningfulness, and RelationshipsAndrew Stumpf0Erin McKenzie1Vivian Nguyen2Department of Philosophy, St. Jerome’s University, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G5, CanadaSchool of Public Health, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, CanadaSchool of Public Health, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, CanadaIn this essay, we appeal to conceptual and empirical research to establish that autonomy and meaningfulness, when understood concretely and realistically, remain possible for frail and dependent elders. Contrary to ageist cultural attitudes, relationships render frailty and dependence compatible with the exercise of autonomous agency and with a life of meaning. This conclusion is important not only for the goal of supporting frail elders but also for developing a realistic understanding of the way relationships and spirituality are required for autonomy and meaning in the life of any human person, regardless of what state of dependence or independence they may be in. Each of us develops and continues to exist in radical dependence on others. Seeing the way autonomy and meaning manifest in the context of frailty and dependence thus helps us better appreciate what these crucial aspects of being human mean for all of us. In other words, we can learn important lessons about autonomy, meaningfulness, and relationship from the experience of our elders, and in particular from those who experience significant frailty and dependence.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/13/8/750autonomymeaningdependencyfrailtydementia |
| spellingShingle | Andrew Stumpf Erin McKenzie Vivian Nguyen Learning from Elders about Autonomy, Meaningfulness, and Relationships Religions autonomy meaning dependency frailty dementia |
| title | Learning from Elders about Autonomy, Meaningfulness, and Relationships |
| title_full | Learning from Elders about Autonomy, Meaningfulness, and Relationships |
| title_fullStr | Learning from Elders about Autonomy, Meaningfulness, and Relationships |
| title_full_unstemmed | Learning from Elders about Autonomy, Meaningfulness, and Relationships |
| title_short | Learning from Elders about Autonomy, Meaningfulness, and Relationships |
| title_sort | learning from elders about autonomy meaningfulness and relationships |
| topic | autonomy meaning dependency frailty dementia |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/13/8/750 |
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