Brief Eternity: The Philosophy of Longevity

Since 1950, life has gotten longer, which has changed our societies. After the age of 50, humans experience a suspension, which leaves life open like a swinging door. This increase in life expectancy is both exciting and frightening, as it upsets relations between generations, patterns of family life, and the meaning of our identity and destiny. This book proposes a philosophy of longevity based on resolution, an art of living this life to the full. It is dedicated to all those who dream of a new spring in the autumn of life and want to put off winter as long as possible.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 180 pages
\n Publication date: 27 November 2020
\n Publisher: Polity Press
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Since 1950, one fundamental aspect of our societies has undergone a significant transformation: life has become longer. Over the past few generations, we have witnessed an addition of 20 to 30 years to our lifespan. However, a remarkable phenomenon occurs after the age of 50, where individuals experience a sense of suspension, neither young nor old, but rather weightless. This reprieve opens life up like a swinging door, offering a respite that disrupts the established order.

The increase in life expectancy represents a monumental stride forward, upending the dynamics between generations, family life, and our sense of self and destiny. This reprieve is both exhilarating and unsettling, as deadlines shorten, possibilities narrow, and yet, there remains room for discoveries, surprises, and passionate love affairs. Time has paradoxically become an ally, carrying us forward rather than ending our lives.

With this ambiguous gift, we are faced with a series of questions: Should we continue along the same path or venture into new territory? What about remarriage, a new career, or pursuing our passions? How can we avoid the weariness of living, the melancholy of the twilight years, and navigate through the joys and pains that life brings?

To answer these questions, this book draws upon a wealth of reflections and statistics, blending insights from literature, the arts, and history. It proposes a philosophy of longevity that is rooted in resolution rather than resignation. In essence, it offers an art of living this life to the fullest.

There is a profound joy in being alive at a time when our ancestors were already nearing the end of their lives. This book is dedicated to all those who yearn for a new spring in the autumn of their years, and seek to postpone winter as long as possible. Let us embrace this extraordinary journey of longevity and discover the endless possibilities that await us.

\n Weight: 418g\n
Dimension: 147 x 222 x 29 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781509544325\n \n