Are we as we seem? The transformative nature of aging

Class description

In this class, we’ll dive deep into Simone de Beauvoir's seminal work, The Coming of Age, a profound exploration of the societal and individual experience of aging. The French existentialist philosopher's work offers a detailed analysis of the elderly's place in societies worldwide, providing us with a lens to scrutinize the often unspoken assumptions and biases that underlie our collective attitudes towards aging. This session encourages participants to reflect on their own perceptions of aging, influenced by societal norms and their personal experiences.

About the Book and Author

The Coming of Age is an eye-opening philosophical work by Simone de Beauvoir, who takes us on a journey through diverse cultures and a span of a thousand years, revealing the harsh truth of societal attitudes towards the elderly. She boldly questions the labels we assign to aging and how they reflect our values and priorities as a society.

Simone de Beauvoir, a prominent French existentialist philosopher, and social theorist, was known for her writings on existentialist ethics and feminist existentialism. Her works, such as The Second Sex, are essential references in the study of feminism, and she is renowned for her philosophical novels and essays on philosophy, politics, and social issues

Questions We’ll Discuss:

1. How does Beauvoir’s exploration of aging in different cultures challenge or affirm your understanding of aging in our society?

2. Beauvoir discusses the societal separation and distance that the old must endure. How have you observed this in your own experiences or communities, and what societal norms might contribute to this?

3. In The Coming of Age, Beauvoir investigates the words elderly, old, and aged. How do these labels shape our perception of older people, and how might they affect our own self-perception as we age?

4. Beauvoir uses the phrase "Society's secret shame" when referring to the treatment of the elderly. What does this phrase mean, and how does it relate to the societal value of youth versus old age?

5. Beauvoir’s work is rooted in existentialist philosophy. How do her existentialist views come through in The Coming of Age and how might they provide a different perspective on the experience of aging?

Class Date & Time
Sunday, July 9th
4:00-6:00 PM PST