Promotional Information

"Using a unique mix of serious socio-psychological theories, along with real life stories and experiences with treating older persons, Professor Guttmann's book is a tour-de-force of humanistic thought, which provides an approach to a meaningful and optimistic future to every aging person, and every aging society." -- Dr. Israel Doron, Senior Lecturer, Department of Gerontology & School of Social Work, The University of Haifa, Israel "Guttmann has created a unique work that will endure. Guttmann shows that this insight is supported by past and present philosophers, novelists, and social scientists. The result is a timeless, comprehensive and eminently interesting readable book. At the same time there is much wisdom and practical suggestions for handling what aging brings to all people." -- Harris Chaiklin, PhD, Professor emeritus, University of Maryland, School of Social Work "Finding Meaning in Life, at Midlife and Beyond introduces the reader to the theory of logo-therapy as applicable to both professionals and the general public. Professor Guttmann offers an important perspective in this book for persons willing to learn how to find meaning in later years of life. Aging does not diminish one's quest and interest in life-but provides it with new designs and challenges accumulated over the years." -- Zev Harel, Ph.D., Professor, School of Social Work, Cleveland State University

Table of Contents

Introduction Acknowledgement First Part Philosophical Approaches to Aging and Meaning in Life Chapter one: "On old age that steals on us fast" Chapter two: Spiritual development in the second half of life Chapter three: The search for happiness Chapter four: Meaningful living according to logotherapy Chapter five: Guiding principles for meaningful living Chapter six: The courage to be authentic Chapter seven: The concept of meaning Chapter eight: Life as a task Chapter nine: On fate and on meaningful living Chapter ten: Despair as "mortal illness" Second Part Applied Aspects to Meaningful Living Chapter eleven: "The gifts of the gods" Chapter twelve: The importance of laughter and humor Chapter thirteen: Dealing with guilt and remorse Chapter fourteen: Coping with loneliness Chapter fifteen: A logotherapeutic perspective on death Bibliography

About the Author

David Guttmann is Emeritus Professor and former Dean of the School of Social Work at the University of Haifa in Israel. An internationally known expert on logotherapy, and personal friend of the late Viktor E. Frankl - the famed founder of logotherapy - author Guttman received the Grand Award for lifetime achievement in logotherapy from the Viktor Frankl Foundation and the City of Vienna in 2003. In other roles that helped fuel the issues raised in this book, he served as Presidential appointee to the White House Conference on Aging, Founding Member of the Southern Gerontological Society of America, Academic Advisor to the Golda Meir International Training Center in Community Development, and Director at the Center for the Study of Aging at the National Catholic School of Social Service at Catholic University of America. He has authored, co-authored, or edited 12 earlier books.

Reviews

"Finding Meaning in Life, at Midlife and Beyond introduces the reader to the theory of logo-therapy as applicable to both professionals and the general public. Professor Guttmann offers an important perspective in this book for persons willing to learn how to find meaning in later years of life. Aging does not diminish one's quest and interest in life-but provides it with new designs and challenges accumulated over the years."-Zev Harel, Ph.D., Professor, School of Social Work, Cleveland State University

"Guttmann has created a unique work that will endure. Guttmann shows that this insight is supported by past and present philosophers, novelists, and social scientists. The result is a timeless, comprehensive and eminently interesting readable book. At the same time there is much wisdom and practical suggestions for handling what aging brings to all people."-Harris Chaiklin, PhD, Professor emeritus, University of Maryland, School of Social Work

"Using a unique mix of serious socio-psychological theories, along with real life stories and experiences with treating older persons, Professor Guttmann's book is a tour-de-force of humanistic thought, which provides an approach to a meaningful and optimistic future to every aging person, and every aging society."-Dr. Israel Doron, Senior Lecturer, Department of Gerontology & School of Social Work, The University of Haifa, Israel