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

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dc.contributor.advisorWyschogrod, Edithen_US
dc.creatorKutac, Julie Elizabethen_US
dc.date.accessioned2009-06-04T06:42:28Zen_US
dc.date.available2009-06-04T06:42:28Zen_US
dc.date.issued2003en_US
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.en_US
dc.format.extent82 p.en_US
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen_US
dc.identifier.callnoTHESIS RELI. 2003 KUTACen_US
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>.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1911/17601en_US
dc.language.isoengen_US
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.en_US
dc.subjectReligionen_US
dc.subjectPhilosophy of Religionen_US
dc.subjectMental healthen_US
dc.titleGray matters: An interdisciplinary approach to understanding the experience of Alzheimer's diseaseen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
dc.type.materialTexten_US
thesis.degree.departmentReligious Studiesen_US
thesis.degree.disciplineHumanitiesen_US
thesis.degree.grantorRice Universityen_US
thesis.degree.levelMastersen_US
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Artsen_US
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