ABSTRACT

This paper offers a range of perspectives on living well in later life while acknowledging that that there is no predefined formula, single pathway or personal style for doing so. The concept ‘practical wisdom’ is introduced to improve understandings surrounding its nature, characteristics and contribution to positive intergenerational relationships. Older people who display aspects of practical wisdom are more likely to have acquired value orientations that affirm concern for life beyond oneself. A fluid approach is taken that places wisdom within the context of everyday transactions between the older individual, family, friends and community. In essence, the primary aim of this essay is to stimulate debate, reflection and ongoing conversations among scholars and students of gerontology in the interest of opening new ways of thinking including the possibility of identifying a viable framework for research opportunities arising from a focus on positive aspects of old age that relate to 1) living well in later life 2) the acquisition and application of practical everyday wisdom and 3) establishing partnership arrangements with older adults that can facilitate the transmission of understandings on wisdom and the art of growing old as part of their commitment to the development of future generations.

摘要

本文提供了一系列关于晚年生活的观点，同时承认没有预定义的公式、单一途径或个人风格可以做到这一点。引入“实践智慧”这一概念是为了提高对其性质、特征和对积极代际关系的贡献的理解。表现出实践智慧方面的老年人更有可能获得肯定对超越自我的生活的关注的价值取向。采用一种流畅的方法，将智慧置于老年人、家人、朋友和社区之间日常交易的背景中。本质上，这篇文章的主要目的是激发辩论，