Respect to the Old Age: Sociological Conceptualisation

Abstract

In this article respect towards old age is considered as one of the central problems of sociology of aging. It is claimed that demographic understanding of aging should be declined because it's the main barrier for integration of old age problems into social theory. The author suggests to look for a new definition of an old age on the intersection of two notions: age dysfunctionality and life experience/authority. Being an non autonomous condition in society old age becomes possible only within the network of recognition. Respect has a constitutive meaning for an old age as a consequence. On the basis of Kant and Darwall ideas the author describes two kinds of group respect- «compensation recognition respect» (addressed to groups, considered as needy for support; it's connected with age disfunctionality) and «group appraisal respect» (addressed to groups «deserving» additional respect, i.e. to groups to whom we are morally indebted. It's connected with life experience/authority).