Ideas of religious gerontology based on the Letter of his holiness Pope John Paul II to the elderly Cover Image

Ideas of religious gerontology based on the Letter of his holiness Pope John Paul II to the elderly
Ideas of religious gerontology based on the Letter of his holiness Pope John Paul II to the elderly

Author(s): Andrzej Anderwald
Subject(s): Social Sciences
Published by: Uniwersytet Opolski
Keywords: religious gerontology; human dignity and talents of the elderly; respect towards the elderly; destination of man;

Summary/Abstract: The aim of this essay is to demonstrate the idea of religious gerontology in the light of the Judeo-Christian tradition, which is the base for “Letter of his holiness Pope John Paul II to the elderly” (1999). Such a specified research perspective tends to show understanding of old age and the place of the elderly within that tradition as well as to work out the efficacy of the religious view in current discussions on matters of old age. This research perspective also intends to provide help for critical analysis of all stereotypes which depreciate the greatness of old age in postmodern societies. The entire reflection comprises the following elements: the temporal and historical plane of human existence, human dignity, talents and hopes of the elderly, practical and eschatological implications of the Judeo-Christian religious gerontology.

  • Issue Year: 2013
  • Issue No: 3
  • Page Range: 131-137
  • Page Count: 8
  • Language: English