[Norbert Elias and a narrative about ageing and death].
This article investigates the contribution made by Norbert Elias (1897-1990) to the problematization of old age by analyzing his text "Envelhecer e morrer". Here, the sociologist is seen as an author of texts which can help build up references that span disciplinary boundaries, or even overcome the polarization between 'health-' and 'social-'related knowledge, making it possible to form the desired field of study on ageing. Though Elias sometimes aligns himself with ideas bordering on an idealization of ageing from a pre-capitalist 'Golden Age', he does offer insights which deserve to be taken into consideration, especially when he relates the contemporary experience of ageing to the invention of modernity itself.
do O
Alarcon Agra
AA
Unidade Acadêmica de História e Geografia, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, Rua Adelino Barbosa de Melo, 150, bl.A, apto.1, 58105-678 Campina Grande, PB, Brasil. alarconagra@oi.com.br
D000375:Aging; D030861:Capitalism; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D033262:Narration / Q000266:history*; D010684:Philosophy / Q000266:history; D012961:Sociology / Q000266:history*; D013795:Thanatology / Q000266:history*