Reflection of the gerontological ideas in literary and philosophical thought

Abstract

There are many examples in the history of culture, demonstrating the relationship
between fiction and science. Among them are examples of world art classics, created in the 20s of
the last century, under the influence of gerontology, formed into an independent scientific direction
at the end of the XIX -beginning of the XX century. In them, gerontological ideas awakening hope
and confidence in victory over old age and belief in the possibility of extending life with the help of
science up to hundreds of years are reflected in the prototypes of their creators (S.E.Brown-Sekar,
I.I.Mechnikov, P.Bakhmetyev), various symbolic images and interesting fantastic stories.
Considering these works, analyzing the important social, philosophical, spiritual, moral and
psychological problems raised in them, the author comes to the conclusion that they involve, first of
all, a search for an answer to the same age-old question: "what is the meaning of life", but in new
thinking, i.e. gerontological key.