Journal of Social Philosophy, EarlyView.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1991.

Pointing to the subjective nature of human life, theorists argue that only in a dialogue with another person does the human disclose meanings important to him or her. The interpretation and analysis of stories with regard to the included subjective meanings included in them as manifestations of human subjectivity seem to be the most effective when undertaken in the hermeneutic approach where psychology and philosophy meet. In the paper advantages of a self-narrative method based on the principles of hermeneutic psychology (...) have been presented. This method has been applied to analyse the stories told by ten persons of senior age and obtained through a narrative interview. This analysis has served to verify the mentioned method, to recognise the respondents′ subjective world of meanings as well as to deepen the reflection on the subjective nature of human life. The exemplary analysis of two out of ten self-narratives obtained in the research have been presented in the article. Similarly to the theoretical reflection included in the text, the research results join the ongoing discussion in contemporary psychology over the legitimacy of the use of qualitative methods. (shrink)

Purpose: This study aimed to explain and understand the existential meaning of the finality of life from the perspective of healthy older adults. Method: Participants were recruited from a major project on older adults’ life situations. They were interviewed about their thoughts on the end of life, and their responses were interpreted using a lifeworld hermeneutic approach. Results: The findings showed that thinking about the inevitable finality of life involves feelings of liberation, frightening thoughts, a comforting promise of something beyond (...) death, acceptance of the concept of death as a companion in life and a desire to live. Philosopher Simone de Beauvoir’s existential ideas about ageing and death were then used to further explain and understand the meaning of the finality of life and to support a comprehensive understanding. de Beauvoir suggests that when the temporal horizon of existence shrinks, one lives closer to the finality of life. For a comprehensive understanding, attributing meaning to the finality of life required the intertwining of reconciliation and displacement. The interpretations were further discussed using ideas from the fields of existential philosophy and caring science in order to develop a basis for caring practice. Conclusions: The conclusions suggested that professional health care for older adults would benefit from a lifeworld-led caring science approach that includes readiness for a caring dialogue that focuses on existential issues. (shrink)