![]() ![]() ![]() Purpose and meaning are often synonymously used, or interchanged. The distinction between purpose and the other two facets of meaning in the model is that purpose seeks to achieve high-value goals that guide your future. Purpose refers to when one has future-oriented goals that provide a sense of direction in their life. Steger suggests a three-dimensional approach to understanding the meaning of life: purpose, coherence, and significance. Steger)Ī research conducted by the philosophy researcher Frank Martela and the psychology professor Michael F. The Three Meanings of Meaning in Life (By Frank Martela and Michael F. This is because core values are like a compass that can help guide your decisions to focus more on what you value, and spend less time and effort on things you don’t value. Otherwise, you risk not knowing what you want out of life and thus will struggle to make decisions. That’s why it’s essential to be aware of your own core values. While core values aren’t black and white, they can be contradictory. Yet, if you value family, community, animals, and other relationships outside of yourself, these are more service values that benefit relationships or other people outside yourself. However, seeking happiness doesn’t necessarily mean you’re living a purposeful life and fulfilling your true life’s potential.įor instance, if you value creativity, self-care, learning, and your health, these are all examples of self-growth values that benefit your personal development. This is because seeking meaning and purpose isn’t always easy, carefree, and happy. Although happiness and meaning are correlated, they are not the same. However, it’s important to make the distinction between finding meaning in life and happiness. Besides the concept that meaning boosts one’s general well-being, the sense of purpose and that life matters and is significant are other reasons why humans look for meaning. For instance, meaning reduces the risk of mental health problems and improves physical health. According to a research study that looked at meaning in life, the study expressed the positive psychological and physiological benefits linked to humans feeling meaningful. Humans may ponder the question “what is the meaning of life” for a variety of reasons.įirst, meaning provides a sense of purpose to our lives. Why Do Humans Pursue the Meaning of Life? No concept is right or wrong therefore, it is the responsibility of the individual to learn and grow through their life experiences to better understand the meaning behind life itself. The four above groups of meaning provide insight into how people around the world may justify life itself. The belief is that God, or a divine being/entity, is the meaning of life. Theism originated in prehistoric times and was lived out through the varying gods humans believed in. Life Has a Supernatural or Unexplainable Meaning Nihilism was termed by Friedrich Nietzsche back in 1862 and is the belief that simply there is nothing, or no meaning, to life itself. This belief of life is simply to avoid suffering and seek out pleasure. Hedonism originated back around the 4th century by Democritus, who was a Greek philosopher. ⌄ Scroll down to continue reading article ⌄ Life Has an Subjective Meaning Natural Pantheism dates back to 1675 by Baruch Spinoza, who referenced the philosophy in their book “Ethics” This philosophy believes that God is in everything, so all life itself is interconnected.Įxistentialism was termed by Martin Heidegger in his work “Being and Time” in 1927 and is the belief that humans are all born with this innate urge to understand their own meaning and values in life. While there is no concrete answer to the meaning of life, all these philosophies regarding the meaning of life can be divided into four categories each category with varying philosophies throughout humanity listed below: Interestingly, both the Eastern and Western worlds have differing philosophies, with Easterners focusing on the “we” or the meaning behind humanity as a whole, while Westerners are more individualistic, focusing on the “I” or their personal sense of meaning.Ĭountless schools of philosophy suggest varying answers for the meaning of life. Understanding what is the meaning of life is a universal concept that people around the world question. What Is the Meaning of Life: Definition of Meaning
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