Vieillir au phalanstère ? La vieillesse chez Fourier et les Fouriéristes

Charles Fourier (1772-1837) very strongly criticized the situation of the elderly in contemporary societies: he described them as isolated, often living in poverty, feeling useless and having no appetite for life. Fourier, in the society of the future, saw them living for a very long time and in good health; he attributes social functions to them (in particular educational); they live in comfortable material conditions and receive recognition; finally, they retain active sensuality. More prudish, Fourier's followers mainly envisaged the creation of social households (“ménages sociétaires”) enabling expenses to be mutualized and maintenance of links of sociability. They were also early advocates of pensions for the workers.