The ideas of Plato, Aristotle, Plutarch and Galen on the elderly| JOURNAL OF GERONTOLOGY AND GERIATRICS

Abstract

For the sake of brevity, we will deal here with a very small fraction of the texts of ancient Greek writers on Old
Age, in a period of roughly 600 years between the 5th century BC and the 2nd century AD. And geographically
also, the area covered is but a negligent fraction of the globe.
Aim. To comment on a very small fraction of the texts of ancient Greek writers on Old Age, in a period of
roughly 600 years between the 5th century BC and the 2nd century AD.
Materials and methods. We used extracts from the writings of Plato (The Republic), Aristotle (De Anima),
Plutarch (Vitae Parallelae, Moralia) and Galen (De Marcore Liber).
Results. Plato presents two sides of the stance of elderly, i.e. continuity (to continue to do what they were
doing in their active years), and disengagement (describes the tendency after some age to go away from your
previous straggles and to contemplate on the eternal values of spirituality). Aristotle explains why in old age
death is painless, like the shutting out of a tiny feeble flame. Plutarch elaborates extensively on the need to
accumulate physical and mental qualifications when we are young so that we can be able to consume them
later, in our old age. He declares that “although old age has much to be shameful of, at least let us not to add
the disgrace of wickedness”. Finally, the social role of each person shall not mutate with age. Even bees do
not become drones when they age. Galen supports the view that ageing is inevitable, although this is only
confirmed by experience and not by science.
Conclusions. According to the cited authors it could be said that it is the cordial acceptance by elders of the
limitations of age the term that will ensure their cordial acceptance by individuals of all ages living in society.