Gray matters: An interdisciplinary approach to understanding the experience of Alzheimer's disease

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dc.contributor.advisorWyschogrod, Edith
dc.creatorKutac, Julie Elizabeth
dc.date.accessioned2009-06-04T06:42:28Z
dc.date.available2009-06-04T06:42:28Z
dc.date.issued2003
dc.description.abstractSince the latter half of the twentieth century, the number of people with Alzheimer's disease has grown to epidemic proportions. My project investigates the cognitive devastation of Alzheimer's disease from several perspectives. I first outline some medical models of Alzheimer's disease, incorporating Richard Dawkins' selfish gene theory. Next, I explore the linguistic experience of the patient. I study Arthur W. Frank's analysis of patient narratives and Elaine Scarry's theory of torture to explore the way in which Alzheimer's disease tortures the patient, stealing the patient's ability to speak and deconstructing the world of the patient. Finally, I think about the way in which Alzheimer's disease can support and challenge themes in Martin Heidegger's philosophy. In diagnosing Alzheimer's disease, the person experiences a conflation of fear and angst. I explore Heidegger's philosophy as it relates to the experience of the patient who shows no ability to function in-the-world, yet exists corporeally.
dc.format.extent82 p.en_US
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.identifier.callnoTHESIS RELI. 2003 KUTAC
dc.identifier.citationKutac, Julie Elizabeth. "Gray matters: An interdisciplinary approach to understanding the experience of Alzheimer's disease." (2003) Master’s Thesis, Rice University. <a href="https://hdl.handle.net/1911/17601">https://hdl.handle.net/1911/17601</a>.
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1911/17601
dc.language.isoeng
dc.rightsCopyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.
dc.subjectReligion
dc.subjectPhilosophy of Religion
dc.subjectMental health
dc.titleGray matters: An interdisciplinary approach to understanding the experience of Alzheimer's disease
dc.typeThesis
dc.type.materialText
thesis.degree.departmentReligious Studies
thesis.degree.disciplineHumanities
thesis.degree.grantorRice University
thesis.degree.levelMasters
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Arts
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