Altern und Sinnsuche

Abstract

Ageing and death manifest themselves in contemporary culture as part of negative side of life. Despite all attempts to dissolve them they appear as inevitable and fateful. What can we do with ageing when it is part of our fate? Is it possible to integrate the knowledge and experience of ageing and death in our lives, even if they turn out to be alienating and remind us constantly of the finiteness of life? What position should we take in relation to the fact of our inevitable death if we want nevertheless say yes to life (Frankl)? The article finds the answer in the concept of ataraxia, a virtue which needs to be nurtured all through our lives.