In the Wessex novels of Thomas Hardy, every person in the village has their role. For the purposes of the story of course, some have more interesting lives, more capable minds, better looks. Yet each person had a place, a position, and they draw meaning from being part of the whole.

Romanticism coupled with Industrial Capitalism introduced a new idea, that our life is a story, a tale, and it is this which gives us meaning: What we achieve. For us today, this is like water to fish: such a part of the makeup of our environment we barely recognise it.

This creates a number of issues, self-centred-ness, carelessness, loneliness. In the elderly, who have less to look forward to, less to achieve, it creates an existential crisis. How do we give meaning to our lives in old age, when the story has few twists left.

This book explores this dilemma, and two responses to it: Deny old age and pursue new goals as a source of meaning, or slow down and accept a new role, a new season. Citing two thousand years of philosophy, the book advocates for the latter.

Why shouldn’t old people enjoy the slower life helped by lower energy, embrace the lack of responsibility, play without purpose as only the young & old can. In fact, going slow can increase cognitive depth!

Nothing is enough for the man to whom enough is too little.

Neat little book, with philosophy for all ages.