Aging Thoughtfully: Conversations about Retirement, Romance, Wrinkles, and Regret

by Martha C. Nussbaum, Saul Levmore

We all age differently, but we can learn from shared experiences and insights. The conversations, or paired essays, in Aging Thoughtfully combine a philosopher's approach with a lawyer-economist's. Here are ideas about when to retire, how to refashion social security to help the elderly poor, how to learn from King Lear -- who did not retire successfully -- and whether to enjoy or criticize anti-aging cosmetic procedures. Some of the concerns are practical: philanthropic decisions, relations with one's children and grandchildren, the purchase of annuities, and how to provide for care in old age. Other topics are cultural, ranging from the treatment of aging women in a Strauss opera and various popular films, to a consideration of Donald Trump's (and other smen's') marriages to much younger women. These engaging, thoughtful, and often humorous exchanges show how stimulating discussions about our inevitable aging can be, and offer valuable insight into how we all might age more thoughtfully, and with zest and friendship.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Essays, Self Help, Health, Sociology, Anthropology

264 pages, Hardcover

Published November 1, 2017

About the author

Martha C. Nussbaum is Ernst Freund Distinguished Service Professor at the University of Chicago, appointed in the Law School and the Philosophy Department. Among her many awards are the 2018 Berggruen Prize, the 2017 Don M. Randel Award for Humanistic Studies from the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the 2016 Kyoto Prize in Arts and Philosophy.

Reviews

[Asclepiade · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mi sembra che fosse Oscar Wilde a dire che chi chiama “vanga” una vanga dovrebbe essere costretto ad usarla. Ecco, io non so come il professor Levmore e soprattutto la professoressa Nussbaum chiamino la vanga, ma leggendo questo saggio scritto da loro, più che a quattro mani, a mani alterne, mi sorge irresistibile l’impulso di spedirli a far uso quotidiano, prolungato e non parco dello strumento in questione. Oltre a impiegare il tempo in modo più fruttuoso che a scrivere le loro discettazioni all’apparenza liberal e in sostanza molto liberiste, forse diverrebbero consci del fatto che l’universo non cessa oltre la soglia d’un dipartimento universitario statunitense; e, me lo si lasci dire, ne ricaverebbero per giunta un meritato castigo per aver allegato il povero, incolpevole Shakespeare a pretesto, e il povero, incolpevole Cicerone a pezza d’appoggio per le loro sussiegose corbellerie. Rimango però amareggiato perché i due autori ormai hanno un’età già piuttosto flétrie, e direi quindi che purtroppo, visto quel che scrivono, il titolo del libro sembra davvero costituire un wishful thinking più che un traguardo per loro visibile o raggiungibile.

[Paul · Rating 2 out of 5]

This series of paired essays on aging by two distinguished law professors is far less interesting than one might expect. There are occasional thought-provoking ideas here, but as a whole the book falls flat. Neither author demonstrates much understanding of ordinary lives, perhaps due to their long careers in the highest levels of academia. Neither author is as insightful as they appear to think they are.

[Jon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A long way from Martha Nussbaum's best book (and with a somewhat self-congratulatory title)--this one alternates chapters by her and by Saul Levmore, her colleague at the U. of Chicago Law School. They don't really engage in conversations (as the subtitle says) as much as write essays on similar subjects, occasionally referring to each other. What I like best about Nussbaum is that she really engages the ancient Greek and Roman ethical philosophers seriously, not just summarizing their work and assigning them to a school, but questioning their analyses, testing them against modern experience, and suggesting modifications. She does that to some extent here, notably with Cicero and Seneca on aging and friendship; but much more of her time is spent discussing modern literature, opera, and movies, generally in ways not especially compelling for me.

[Ellyn Lem · Rating 3 out of 5]

Topics in the title sounded a little bit more interesting than the book itself, written by two University of Chicago Law professors. I like the idea of having essays on the same subject addressed by both authors to have more of a dialogue, but Nussbaum's always seemed more lively and less pedantic. A pleasure to have a number of literary works discussed including Eugene O'Neill's "Long Day's Journey Into Night" and several Shakespeare plays, including whole essays on Lear. Probably my favorite part was Nussbaum's chapter on love and sex that included a very opinionated guide to recent films involving aging stars. Not perhaps the most scintillation book on aging that I have read, but certainly not the worst. Definitely some value, especially its currency.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think highly of Martha Nussbaum, so I picked up this book as soon as I read about it. Nussbaum is a philosopher at University of Chicago, and Levmore a professor of law. Covering eight different topics concerning aging, such as romance, family inheritance, elder care, both Nussbaum and Levmore have submitted essays on each subject written from their professional perspective. Being of a certain age, I appreciated validation of ideas of which I agree (such as family members caring for their elderly relatives), and was given a new perspective on other ideas, such as mandatory retirement.

[Writemoves · Rating 2 out of 5]

A series of essays about aging that I found to be a bit esoteric. One of the reviewers on this site found certain essays to be a bit of a "slog"and I concur. Some of the literary and philosophical references did go over my head...but that's on me. I think I was looking for advice and content that was more useful. Since this was a store purchase, I hung with this book longer than if I borrowed it from the library.

No doubt, I will pick up the book again and re-read the essays.

[Jesus · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ok if you want to listen to two USA university teachers share their ideas about aging.
Not for me. It is the kind of "coffee table" philosophy done by the ancient Greeks, by introspection, anecdotes, literary references (you can become an expert in Shakespeare's king Lear 👑)... I prefer modern philosophy based on science - psychology, sociology, neuroscience...
Plus their reflections are quite biased to "affluent USA" - bequeathing, doing philanthropy, should retirement be compulsory?...

[Karla Kitalong]

Nussbaum has a theory (or philosophy) called the capabilities approach, which includes a list of 10 capabilities necessary to human well-being. I will be pondering this approach as I work on a couple of projects. Short of reading the whole book, you can find a pretty good description in section 3 of this Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy entry: https://iep.utm.edu/ge-capab/

The book was interesting; not as entertaining as the title would suggest.

[Steven Pennebaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars though I am the first to admit the initial essays are a bit of a slog. Once they get going though, there's some really engaging thinking in here. I personally found Nussbaum the more stylistically compelling of the two.

[Martin Los · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is pleasant to read this book especially if you yourself belong to the elderly.
Each page contains food for thought and to talk to oneself.
This handeling of the book goes more or less by itself because it itself is a form of conversation about old age between the two authors: Martha C. Nussbaum and Saul Levmore. The first renowned philosopher and the other a well-known lawyer and economist. Both address the same issues of aging, but from their own discipline. Such an approach has something of an adventure that can be disappointing to the reader while delighting the writers. But in this case, the alternating chapters, written by Nussbaum and Levmore, provide the opportunity to slow down and experience each chapter as a pause while still reading further.
Aging Thoughtfully is not a textbook on old age. It is an invitation from a self-aging philosopher and an aging economist and lawyer to take note of their thoughts. Their contributions contain practical recommendations and wise lessons for the elderly and those who are thinking about aging.
As always, it is alwaysa pleasure when Nussbaum she argues gently with classical philosophers. Rightly so, because aging is timeless. The wisdom no less.

[Silvia Gf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Las personas son un misterio complejo a lo largo de toda su vida. La vejez se ha estigmatizado en una cultura nihilista, egocéntrica y que ha generado la juventud como un valor a conservar. Este libro es un dialogo entre un economista y una filosofa que ponen sobre la mesa las desigualdades, amor, amistades, herencia, altruismo a los que nos enfrentaremos al envejecer. Es interesante el enfoque de capacidades, mas allá de las competencias ( habilidad, conocimiento y actitud), es hablar de la capacidad que deberíamos tener, y como esas capacidades deberían favorecer leyes que permitan transitar la etapa de la vejez como una etapa con sentido, y no una etapa sin sentido, llena de carencias, injusticias y segmentación. Toca también la importancia del dialogo intergeneracional en contrapartida de la ideología del descarte y la cultura de muerte. Todos tenemos algo que aportar a la sociedad en la etapa de la vida en la que estamos. Es importante reflexionar, planear nuestra vejez, pensar en nuestro futuro aun cuando la sociedad nos lo. Quiera arrebatar y dejarnos solo nuestro pasado.

[Samaa Ahmed · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pretty bad book. It lacked the insight I was expecting, and wasn’t well written either.

It was just so random. Why King Lear? Why the random opera? Not only were the cultural references bizarre, the analysis about current and future generations was, as a member of a younger generation, so off the mark… I don’t even know what to make of it.

I’m sure there’s something redeeming about this book but I couldn’t find it.

The title is the best part about it.

[Angeles · Rating 3 out of 5]

No terminó de convencerme. Hay muchos datos prácticos, sociales y económicos referidos a EEUU. Hubiera preferido un enfoque más filosófico y no centrado tanto en los aspectos económicos de la sociedad americana.

[Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very thoughtful book

This is an excellent and practical book on the emotional, philosophical, and financial questions that face people as they age. Highly recommended.

[Anjar Priandoyo · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book that written by 70 years old scholar. Interesting, will I have a chance to write like her. I did not finish this book, but I know that this kind of book that I will re-read later on.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

helpful insights

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting legal and philosophical discussions of aging. This is not a "how" to age thoughtfully book.

[dwillsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a bit of a slog and somewhat disappointing - not as interesting as the title suggested and not especially challenging.

[Rae Simpson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Miinuteman. Skimmed. Essays, scholarly. Not promising for LWN

[Juan Andrés · Rating 3 out of 5]

El tema de la vejez es absolutamente relevante y necesario, pero se me hizo difícil y pesado el enfoque y muy poco amena su lectura

[UChicagoLaw]

A topic that is often viewed with apprehension is embraced here with optimism and buoyed by a dialogue with always thought-provoking and often contrasting views. —Thomas J. Miles