Customer Reviews

Aging and Old Age

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1 star:		(2)

 

 

Judge Posner is a remarkable man. A noted jurist and a fine writer with a wide range of interests.

"Aging and Old Age" covers so much ground that it is difficult to summarize in a short review. Overall, Posner attempts to deterine the nature of the aqing process, the effects of aging on those who become the aged and the impact of a growing cohort of the old on American society.

Speaking as an old person, it is a depressing read, because Posner correctly notes that there is a young self and an old self. The former looks forward, while the latter - because there is so little "forward" left - looks back. Posner speaks of the decline of the aging self, though he allows that many of the aged - particularly federal judges likes himself with lifetime tenure - remain productive at what were once considered "bizarrely" advanced ages.

Posner discusses "What is aging? And why?" the social history of aging, physical and mental decline associated with aging, age and creative output, the "behavioral correlates of age", euthnasia and geronticide, social security and health, legal issues of aging and age discrimination and mandatory retirement. Quite a broad sweep - and to this old man, a depressing one.

In all, a thought provoking work even if depressing (to me). I suspect it found a moderate audience among those who deal with the aqing process and the aged.

Jerry

Broadly researched and well-referenced, this clearly-written book is a realistic take on the coming age wave. It openly challenges both the fear-mongerers and the brave new world types. The ideas are compelling and extremely well-presented. The scope and detail of his reseach is far beyond that of average writers.

The interdisciplinary breadth and depth of analysis provided by Judge Posner is an extremely rare insight into the evolution of human life and its role in the socioeconomic features of modern socities.This is a great book for any professional - young or old, or in between !

Imagine that you exclusively look at life through the «highly unimaginative» twin lenses of money and liability, as this economist and jurist does, to get the gist of this book. Posner begins by stating that his primary thesis is not original, attributing it to Aristotle: that elders lack imagination and have only knowledge to contribute to society; and that elders don't care about the future (since they'll be dead). So if you wish to read global policy prescriptions based on a Third Century BC abnegation of the value of the elderly, you'll enjoy this book. Otherwise, you might spend your valuable time looking at Matisse's paper cut-outs, listening to Beethoven's late quartets, reading Gertrude Stein's late works or Joseph Schumpeter's "Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy" (published eight years before his death), and participating in programs to support the elderly, who regrettably, apparently, cost money to support, and whose existence -- who knew? -- has legal ramifications.

On the other hand, given the legal actions currently contemplated in the United States affecting Medicare and Social Security, and the economic implications relating thereto, this is a timely book, so one star for relevance.

Oh, and BTW, Posner contradicts his thesis in the first pages, mandating that everyone else -- except, of course, most judges and authors (no, really, he actually says this!) -- should be put to pasture (e.g., a Soylent Green one) when they become too old to think properly and otherwise contribute to society.

The interdisciplinary breadth and depth of analysis provided by Judge Posner is an extremely rare insight into the evolution of human life and its role in the socioeconomic features of modern socities.This is a great book for anybody- young or old, or in between !

The interdisciplinary breadth and depth of analysis provided by Judge Posner is an extremely rare insight into the evolution of human life and its role in the socioeconomic features of modern socities.This is a great book for anybody- young or old, or in between !

We must read literature regarding aging with a critical and cautious mind. While many people seek to reify stereotypes and wordfacts about the aging process, it is important to explore these assertions before absorbing them into our thinking about older adults and the aging experience. Posner makes some rather ageist remarks in this text, particularly as he justifies age discrimination in the workplace. Any reader of this book must realize the perspective of its author, and question his credentials that qualify him to write on such an issue. While gerontology is a multidisciplinary field, it cannot tolerate ageist contributors.