
The Mature Imagination
Biggs(Author)
Open University Press
Published on 16. August 1999
Book
Paperback/Softback
208 pages
978-0-335-20102-0 (ISBN)
Description
* What does it mean to possess a mature imagination under contemporary social conditions?
* Is it possible to choose not to grow old?
* How are the core questions for adult identity to be addressed in midlife and beyond?
This innovative and wide-ranging book critically assesses notions of adult ageing as they affect people's lifestyles and their sense of personal and social identity. Drawing on an extraordinary range of theory, original research and empirical sources, Simon Biggs examines the interpretation of these changes within social theory and their implications for practice in therapy and in health and welfare settings.
Biggs' argument develops a number of key concepts, and begins by assessing notions of change arising from psychodynamic and postmodern perspectives on ageing. Whilst these ideas shape our understanding, the study of ageing itself challenges easy theoretical assumptions about adult identity. The author critically assesses the contribution of these key perspectives and develops a model for combining the inner world of the mature imagination with the possibilities and uncertainties inherent in contemporary social life. Central to this analysis are tensions between authenticity and masquerade, personal coherence and continuity, and the role of facilitative and restrictive social space. The reader is invited to transgress traditional subject boundaries and draw on insights from sociology, psychotherapy and social gerontology in new and creative ways. The issues that emerge are of both theoretical and practical importance and are presented clearly and concisely.
The Mature Imagination should be of interest to a broad range of students and practitioners in the areas of counselling, health and welfare as well as readers interested in following debates in contemporary social theory.
* Is it possible to choose not to grow old?
* How are the core questions for adult identity to be addressed in midlife and beyond?
This innovative and wide-ranging book critically assesses notions of adult ageing as they affect people's lifestyles and their sense of personal and social identity. Drawing on an extraordinary range of theory, original research and empirical sources, Simon Biggs examines the interpretation of these changes within social theory and their implications for practice in therapy and in health and welfare settings.
Biggs' argument develops a number of key concepts, and begins by assessing notions of change arising from psychodynamic and postmodern perspectives on ageing. Whilst these ideas shape our understanding, the study of ageing itself challenges easy theoretical assumptions about adult identity. The author critically assesses the contribution of these key perspectives and develops a model for combining the inner world of the mature imagination with the possibilities and uncertainties inherent in contemporary social life. Central to this analysis are tensions between authenticity and masquerade, personal coherence and continuity, and the role of facilitative and restrictive social space. The reader is invited to transgress traditional subject boundaries and draw on insights from sociology, psychotherapy and social gerontology in new and creative ways. The issues that emerge are of both theoretical and practical importance and are presented clearly and concisely.
The Mature Imagination should be of interest to a broad range of students and practitioners in the areas of counselling, health and welfare as well as readers interested in following debates in contemporary social theory.
Reviews / Votes
"This should become a core text for second year courses insociology and cultural studies...it synthesizes a vast body of literature and a complex range of debates into a text which is at once accessible, engaging and stimulating...it will lead to students seeing and thinking about the material world in a totally new light and can be used as a way into key theoretical debates." - Keith Tester, Professor of Social Theory, University of PortsmouthMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Milton Keynes
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
references, index
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 155 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
330 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-335-20102-0 (9780335201020)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Content
Introduction
Maturity and its discontents
From ego psychology to the active imagination
Postmodern ageing
Masque and ageing
Midlifestyle
Meaning and forgetting
Social spaces and mature identity
Policy spaces in health and welfare
Conclusions and implications
References
Index.
Maturity and its discontents
From ego psychology to the active imagination
Postmodern ageing
Masque and ageing
Midlifestyle
Meaning and forgetting
Social spaces and mature identity
Policy spaces in health and welfare
Conclusions and implications
References
Index.