Imhof A E, Kloke I E, Plichta K
FB Geschichtswissenschaften, FU Berlin.
Z Gerontol. 1988 Jul-Aug;21(4):193-7.
Recent social historical studies on the development of life expectancy over the last 300-400 years have shown that the increasing certainty that the great majority of us will be able to live relatively healthy lives until the end is more decisive for most people than the lengthening of the life span itself. A premature death is no longer--as in previous generations--the rule. Today it is the exception. In an historical and worldwide context, we are the first who will--or could--be able to live our lives from the perspective of a relatively calculable, distant end. In order to do this to a greater degree and, above all, more consciously, a "life design" or "life plan" seems to be necessary. This means developing, as early in life as possible, the types of interests that will last a whole life long and will provide fulfillment, particularly in the "Fourth Age". The period of maturity (and waning activity) should not then be one of insufferable emptiness. "Maturity of life" can mean a chance and a goal for most of us today, provided that we structure this life appropriately ourselves. Contributions to discussions in this context in the USA and in two research-related seminars at the Free University of Berlin are presented.
最近关于过去300 - 400年预期寿命发展的社会历史研究表明，对于我们大多数人来说，越来越确定的是能够相对健康地活到生命尽头，这比寿命本身的延长更具决定性。过早死亡不再像过去几代人那样是常态。如今它是例外。从历史和全球范围来看，我们是第一批将能够或者说能够从相对可计算的、遥远的生命终点的角度来生活的人。为了在更大程度上，尤其是更有意识地做到这一点，似乎需要一个“生活设计”或“生活规划”。这意味着要在生命尽可能早的阶段培养那些能持续一生并带来满足感的兴趣类型，特别是在“第四年龄段”。成熟（以及活动减少）阶段不应是难以忍受的空虚阶段。“生活的成熟”对我们今天大多数人来说可以意味着一个机会和一个目标，前提是我们自己恰当地规划这种生活。本文展示了在美国以及柏林自由大学的两个相关研讨会上就这一背景下的讨论所做的贡献。
