Successful Aging from Sa'di's Perspective

Abstract

Abstract This study examined Sa'di's works through a descriptive-analytical lens, drawing upon contemporary expert perspectives on successful aging. Sa'di, employing a moral approach grounded in religious teachings and personal experiences, endeavored to portray successful elderly individuals. With concision and eloquence, he proposed methods to mitigate the losses associated with aging, enabling older adults to live their remaining years with greater serenity and assume new roles befitting their circumstances in society. The research findings revealed that, according to Sa'di, the key attributes of successful elderly individuals included: Accepting the realities of aging Living wisely and approaching challenges prudently Maintaining a purposeful existence Seeking meaning and transcendence Cultivating a realistic awareness of mortality Preserving hope Engaging in social roles Practicing kindness Cultivating a positive reputation Prioritizing physical and mental well-being This analysis bridged classical Persian literature with contemporary gerontological concepts, offering valuable insights into the timeless nature of successful aging strategies. Keywords: Aging, Successful Aging, Educational Literature, Old Age, Sa'di Introduction Old age represents a significant phase in the human lifespan—a period when individuals, having traversed the majority of their lives, experience a decline in certain abilities and often find themselves marginalized by societal structures. However, maintaining influence and fulfilling social roles during this stage can significantly preserve or even enhance one's quality of life. This study aimed to explore the concept of successful aging as portrayed in Sa'di's works. It sought to answer the question: What characteristics did Sa'di attribute to a successfully aging individual, taking into account the social conditions of his era? To achieve this, Sa'di's literary corpus was thoroughly examined and both his explicit statements and implicit views were meticulously described and analyzed. Materials & Methods This research employed a descriptive-analytical approach to examine the didactic works of Sa'di Shirazi, with a focus on identifying patterns of successful aging. The methodology involved: A comprehensive review of Sa'di's literary works Identification and extraction of relevant passages pertaining to aging Analysis of these passages in light of contemporary theories of successful aging Synthesis of findings to construct a cohesive picture of Sa'di's perspective on aging well By applying this rigorous methodology, the study aimed to bridge classical Persian wisdom with modern gerontological insights, potentially offering timeless strategies for navigating the challenges of advanced age.

Keywords

• aging
• successful aging
• educational literature
• old age
• sa'di