Leader: Roberto Mordacci (UNISR); Other collaborator(s): Alessandro Volpe (UNISR)
The social and economical differences among the elderly often create disparities of treatment for analogous diseases or conditions. In many cases, a line of separation runs from those who can afford private health care and those who cannot. These disparities constitute forms of inequality that need to be corrected at the level of public policies. Furthermore, the inequalities are found not only among people of the same age group (intra-generational justice) but also between different age groups, such as the competition for resources between the young and the elderly (inter-generational justice). This task will develop ethical guidelines for policy-makers aimed at reducing inequalities and promote a fair distribution of resources.
The research activity has involved the study of solidarity and intergenerational solidarity (IS) as guiding practices and principles for equitable policies in ageing societies. This study has been so far conducted through conceptual analysis, a general mapping of the various societal levels involved, and normative endeavours.
The background idea of the research is to provide philosophical support for social sciences and policies to address the problem of ageing populations in relation to social cohesion.
Brief description of the activities and of the intermediate results
The research activity has aimed to provide initial philosophical support for social sciences and policies to address the problem of ageing populations in relation to social cohesion and solidarity. It has also involved a very general mapping of the various societal levels involved in an ageing population, engaging with the problem of intergenerational solidarity. A key aspect has been to clarify the relationship between intergenerational solidarity and intergenerational justice.
Main policy, industrial and scientific implications
Among the many solidaristic actions and arrangements possible, the research has inquired the so-called intergenerational co-housing, that is, a form of collaborative housing where people from different age groups live together in a community that fosters social interaction and mutual support. While assuring the right to housing and tackling the challenge of the cost-of-living crisis for both elderly people and young students and workers, this approach is also designed to foster social cohesion, intergenerational relationships, and community sustainability.
Brief description of the activities and of the intermediate results
The research activity has involved the follow-up and the organization of a forthcoming monographic issue on philosophy and ageing society (class-A scientific Journal), that aims to collect scholarly contributions and interdisciplinary perspectives on the intergenerational justice, care, and solidarity.
Main policy, industrial and scientific implications
The forthcoming monographic issue on philosophy and ageing society aims to trigger debate on the topic among scholars and institutions. The topics and methods engaged in the collective publication aims to provide essential theoretical points of reference for future research on ageing population.
The research activity has involved the setting up of a co-authored paper on intergenerational solidarity (IS). The paper aims to show is how intergenerational solidarity is a symmetrical relationship, but demographic shifts in Europe threaten its stability. As the elderly population grows and the youth population declines, numerically dominant generations may monopolize the discourse on intergenerational justice, leading to new forms of inequality. This paper explores how these imbalances affect IS, raising questions about power dynamics and fairness across generations.
Furthermore, the research has involved the editorial managing of a forthcoming monographic issue on philosophy and ageing society (class-A scientific Journal) “The Coming of Age”, that aims to collect scholarly contributions and interdisciplinary perspectives on the intergenerational justice, care, and solidarity.
Alessandro Volpe, “Solidarity in ageing societies. A philosophical overview”, Notizie di Politeia, n. 154, 2024, pp. 31-42; ISSN 1128-2401