Aaron antonovsky, the scholar and the man behind salutogenesis

Abstract

Rebelling against the mainstream and searching for the right questions seem to be the two most salient characteristics that bridge between Aaron the scholar and Aaron the man. In this chapter, we wish to share some insights we have regarding the development of the salutogenic idea, by drawing lines connecting it to the person Aaron was. Having been very close to Aaron for several decades, we feel that a certain degree of familiarity with his personal background would contribute to the understanding of the development of the salutogenic theory. Therefore, we wish to shed some light on Aaron’s personal experiences, ideological beliefs, and professional development throughout his life, until the crystallization of the salutogenic idea.