Un instante eterno : Filosofía de la longevidad

In this insightful essay, renowned philosopher Pascal Bruckner explores how scientific advancements have made time a paradoxical ally for humankind. Since the mid-20th century, life expectancy has increased from twenty to thirty years, equivalent to an entire lifetime in the 17th century. It is upon reaching fifty that we experience a kind of suspension between maturity and old age, an interval in which the brevity of life truly begins, as we grapple with the profound questions of our human condition: Do we want to live a long life or a life lived intensely, to start anew or to reinvent ourselves? How can we avoid the weariness of being, the melancholy of twilight, how can we overcome great joys and great sorrows? What is the force that keeps us afloat against bitterness or weariness? In this ambitious and essential work, Bruckner grounds his reflections in statistics and diverse sources from literature, the arts, and history. Thus, he proposes a philosophy of longevity based on resolve, and never on resignation, to live this extra life in the best way possible.