Vulnerabilità e autonomia relazionale. Il caso dei villaggi Alzheimer

This contribution explores the concept of vulnerability, encompassing both the physical and emotional aspects of individuals. My argument highlights how, despite humans’ presumed rationality, vulnerability, and not rationality, is the fundamental element of the human condition, challenging liberal individualism. This interpretation contrasts with the traditional approach that relegates vulnerable individuals to a separate category, threatening the ideal of autonomy, and emphasizes the need to consider vulnerability as an integral part of the human experience. In the second part, the implementation of the principle of vulnerability in a relational autonomy perspective is discussed through the example of Alzheimer’s Villages. These villages, like the one created since 2018 in Monza, Italy, offer an environment specifically designed for people with dementia. The use of advanced technologies, such as home automation and wearable devices, allows constant monitoring of patients, ensuring timely assistance. The design of the villages involves a negotiation between security and freedom, creating a public space where people can feel both free and protected. These innovative approaches demonstrate how vulnerability, understood as dependency and the need for care, can be integrated into the context of relational autonomy through practical and advanced technological solutions.