The Meaning of Life Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy

Research by social psychologist Roy Baumeister and colleagues suggests that satisfying basic needs promotes happiness, but not meaning. In contrast, linking a sense of self across one’s past, present, and future promotes meaning, but not happiness. There’s a high degree of overlap between experiencing happiness and meaning – most people who report one also report the other. Days when people report feeling happy are often also days that people report meaning.

Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. If you are struggling with this exercise, consider seeing a therapist that practices ACT. A therapist can help you define your values and pinpoint any psychological barriers that are preventing you from living a life with meaning and value. Write a simple statement about how you would like to live your life in each of these areas.
Write down the reasons why you feel you need to add more meaning to your life. Whatever the reason, write down your reasons for wanting to add meaning to your life. This will help you understand why it is important for you, and also help you organize your thoughts.Understand the importance of purposeful living. Having a sense of purpose increases quality of life, and may even help you live longer. Landau argues that anyone who believes life can be meaningless also assumes the importance of value. In other words, if you think life can be meaningless, then you believe that there is such a thing as value. As such, we can also increase or decrease the value of our lives with practice, effort, action, and thought. “I can ruin or build friendships, upgrade or downgrade my health, and practice or neglect my German. It would be surprising if in this particular sphere of value, the meaning of life, things were different from how they are in all the other spheres,” he writes.

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To be sure, one might not remember having done them before and hence could avoid boredom, but for some philosophers that would make it all the worse, akin to having dementia and forgetting that one has told the same stories. Others, however, still find meaning in such a life (e.g., Belshaw 2021, 197, 205n41). For instance, a life that has lots of beneficence and otherwise intuitively meaning-conferring conditions but that is also extremely repetitive (à la the movie Groundhog Day) is less than maximally meaningful (Taylor 1987; Blumenfeld 2009). Furthermore, a life that not only avoids repetition but also ends with a substantial amount of meaningful parts seems to have more meaning overall than one that has the same amount of meaningful parts but ends with few or none of them (Kamm 2013, 18–22; Dorsey 2015). These three cases suggest that meaning can inhere in life as a whole, that is, in the relationships between its parts, and Sober Home not merely in the parts considered in isolation. However, some would maintain that it is, strictly speaking, the story that is or could be told of a life that matters, not so much the life-story qua relations between events themselves . Most analytic philosophers writing on meaning in life have been trying to develop and evaluate theories, i.e., fundamental and general principles, that are meant to capture all the particular ways that a life could obtain meaning. As in moral philosophy, there are recognizable “anti-theorists,” i.e., those who maintain that there is too much pluralism among meaning conditions to be able to unify them in the form of a principle (e.g., Kekes 2000; Hosseini 2015). Arguably, though, the systematic search for unity is too nascent to be able to draw a firm conclusion about whether it is available. From the vastness of the universe to the breadth of time, some things in life are beyond comprehension.

Solving problems basically means finding ways to make the world a slightly better place. Can be as simple as fixing up your aging mother’s dilapidated house. Or as complex as working on the new great breakthrough in physics. It is not some grand ‘eureka’ moment that will change our lives forever. Our brains invent meaning the way dogs shit—they do it gleefully and not even realizing that they’re ruining the carpet. Our brains invent meaning as a way to explain all the crazy shit that is going on in the world how to create meaning in life around us. Meaning is the association that we draw between two experiences or events in our minds. Z happens, and we get really bummed out and feel awful, therefore we assume that Z sucks. The mystery of life and its true meaning is an often recurring subject in popular culture, featured in entertainment media and various forms of art. To love something bigger, greater, and beyond ourselves, something we did not create or have the power to create, something intangible and made holy by our very belief in it.

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There can be many reasons why they are difficult, but one reason is that people who are close to you often challenge you to open up, or to reflect on your beliefs. Eliminating that feeling that you should always have more can help you see what is truly meaningful in your life. That’s not to say that being happy is not important, but instead, that you should not expect finding meaning to mean finding happiness. Each night for a week, take a moment to write down events and activities that gave you energy, pleasure, and a sense of purpose, and which events and activities did not.

Objectivists maintain, in contrast, that there are some invariant standards for meaning because meaning is at least partly mind-independent, i.e., obtains not merely in virtue of being the object of anyone’s mental states. Here, something is meaningful because of its intrinsic nature, in the sense of being independent of whether it is wanted or intended; meaning is instead the sort of thing that merits these reactions. Largely for that reason, contemporary supernaturalists have tended to opt for moderation, that is, to maintain that God would greatly enhance the meaning in our lives, even if some meaning would be possible in a world without God. One approach is to invoke the relational argument to show that God is necessary, not for any meaning whatsoever, but rather for an ultimate meaning. “Limited transcendence, the transcending of our limits so as to connect with a wider context of value which itself is limited, does give our lives meaning––but a limited one. Another rationale is that by fulfilling God’s purpose, we would meaningfully please God, a perfect person, as well as be remembered favorably by God forever (Cottingham 2016, 135; Williams 2020, 21–22, 29, 101, 108). Still another argument is that only with God could the deepest desires of human nature be satisfied (e.g., Goetz 2012; Seachris 2013, 20; Cottingham 2016, 127, 136), even if more surface desires could be satisifed without God.

These findings also tie in with the negative impact of ostracism on the sense of meaning . If you feel like you don’t belong, then you have a lower sense of meaningfulness. People who report fewer social connections, loneliness, and ostracism also report lower meaningfulness . Sharing your passions with a group of like-minded individuals also helps further develop harmonious passions, which, in turn, can generate a sense of meaningfulness . Living a meaningful life and deciding what is meaningful are age-old questions (e.g., Marcus Aurelius wrestled with this question when he was Emperor of Rome from 161 to 180 AD). This, he noted, may be because abstractions such as personal values often require social consensus for them to feel real, which can be achieved if they also provide value to others. Evidence shows that self-transcendent values — going beyond meeting one’s own wants and needs in pursuit of higher goals — may also contribute to a successful search for meaning. A lot of people find meaning through setting goals for themselves.

The findings show actual human ethical reasoning to be at odds with most philosophical theories, for example consistently showing distinctions between action by cause and action by omission which would be absent from utility-based theories. Cognitive science has theorized about differences between conservative and liberal ethics and how they may be based on different metaphors from family life such as strong fathers vs nurturing mother models. Many members of the scientific community and philosophy of science communities think that science can provide the relevant context, and set of parameters necessary for dealing with topics related to the meaning of life. In their view, science can offer a wide range of insights on topics ranging from the science of happiness to death anxiety. But while religion is not a universal source from which Americans say they obtain “a great deal” of meaning, it is a highly salient source of fulfillment among those who select it. Indeed, among those who say (in the closed-ended survey) that religion provides them with “a great deal” of meaning, 55% say that religion is their most important source of meaning, while fewer (30%) say family provides them with the most meaning and fulfillment. Researchers used natural language processing methods and human validation to identify topics in the open-ended responses. Put more simply, algorithms were used to analyze the responses for specific terms, and researchers verified the results to ensure accuracy. The goal was to classify whether each response mentions a given topic. Using a computational model of words that regularly appear together in the answers, researchers identified 30 different topics and used sets of keywords to measure each topic and label the responses.

Science, for instance, is the constant search of more and more Cause/Effect Meaning. To resolve the imbalance of the mind by understanding the nature of reality. To seek wisdom and knowledge and to tame the mind, as to avoid suffering caused by ignorance and find happiness. Zoroastrians believe in a universe created by a transcendent God, Ahura Mazda, to whom all worship is ultimately directed. Ahura Mazda’s creation is asha, truth and order, and it is in conflict with its antithesis, druj, falsehood and disorder. Shinto means “the path of the kami”, but more specifically, it can be taken to mean “the divine crossroad where the kami chooses his way”. The “divine” crossroad signifies that all the universe is divine spirit. This foundation of free will, choosing one’s way, means that life is a creative process. In short, the goal is to realize the fundamental truth about oneself. This thought is conveyed in the Mahāvākyas (“Tat Tvam Asi” , “Aham Brahmāsmi”, “Prajñānam Brahma” and “Ayam Ātmā Brahma” (This Ātman is Brahman)).

Nearly everyone can benefit from being able to talk about their fears and worries with an unbiased person. So you create meaning to life by first deciding and embarking upon the life that you wish to live. Your statement to the universe is your degree in which you are prepared to work towards your passion and your purpose. For example, if you list health, family, relationships and career, then you have a strong representation of what brings you fulfillment, joy and happiness since these are the areas where you feel most appreciated and rewarded. You already have the power to create meaning and purpose in your life, not so much in what you do, but in what it means to you and the meaning you attach to it. Basically, he’s saying meaning is like an equation—add or subtract value variables, and you get more or less meaning.

Centenarians greatly value their social experiences and are actively involved in social events (Wong et al., 2014). These positive aging traits and attitudes, coupled with the few negative traits, act as a protective buffer against depression, illness, and loneliness (Jopp, Park, Lehrfeld, & Paggi, 2016; Keyes, 2000), and contribute to the longevity of centenarians. However, do not be unreasonable with your expectations of your environment. Your child might have a meltdown, or you might drop a box of eggs on the floor, but these experiences will have less of a negative impact if you already have a sense of control over your environment. Simple ways to induce a cognitively coherent environment would be to implement a fixed routine, schedule time for unexpected tasks (e.g., “emergencies” delivered via email), formally schedule downtime for exercise and passions, and maintain a tidy environment . Negative passions, referred to as obsessive passions, are maladaptive and lead to unhealthy behaviors; these types of passions should be avoided. On the other hand, positive, harmonious passions improve our behavior and lead to optimal functioning. Motivation is useful for activities that are considered dull (e.g., washing the dishes), whereas passion is the driving force for activities that have significance for us. Here we will summarize the existing psychological research that examines this question and provide you with a starting point on your journey.

But this assumes our purpose is fixed, rigid and assigned externally, and not flexible or a product of the mind. While that may sound coy, many philosophers offer similar responses, although few as pithy. Philosopher Richard Taylor proposes that efforts and accomplishments aren’t what make life matter, writing in the 1970 book Good and Evil, “the day was sufficient to itself, and so was the life.” In other words, because we live, life matters. Subjectivists—Landau among them—think that those views are too narrow. If meaning happens through cognition, then it could come from any number of sources. “It seems to most in the field not only that creativity and morality are independent sources of meaning, but also that there are sources in addition to these two. For just a few examples, consider making an intellectual discovery, rearing children with love, playing music, and developing superior athletic ability,” Metz proposes. The two naturalist camps are split over whether the human mind makes meaning or these conditions are absolute and universal. Objectivists argue that there are absolute truths which have value, though they may not agree on what they are.

For example, we may have had to overcome difficulties—difficulties that made us who we are. This sense of story about how we came to be who we are is often meaningful to us. Practice bringing full presence and a sense of newness to the unfolding moments in your day, like an actor performing a play for the first time. Identify what your motivation is at the start of the day and hold this in the forefront of your mind like a beacon of light, guiding you as you move through your day. Try to find people who are also learning this language and watch a film in that language together. Try to find a group of like-minded individuals who enjoy the same interest that you do. Expressing why you enjoy the hobby helps to build and strengthen positive associations with the hobby.

Throwing up your hands and concluding that the question of the meaning of life is simply unanswerable—by you, at least—is the easy response. But you can make your quest for meaning manageable by breaking it down into three bite-size dimensions, and then considering each one in turn. To add meaning to your life, stop focusing on what you don’t have and start expressing gratitude for the things you do have, such as good friends, a comfortable bed, or a pet. Being charitable adds meaning to your life as well, so think about the things you love to do and find a way to do them as a volunteer for a non-profit organization. You can also find meaning through your work by thinking about how it helps others–for example, a babysitter helps parents by giving them the freedom to leave home without their children. Despite the stress that these relationships might bring from time to time, research has shown that, unless they are physically or emotionally abusive, they are important for developing a sense of meaning. Sometimes, we may get very caught up in our own thoughts, which can make it difficult to find solutions. If you are having a difficult time, you can talk with a mental health professional who can give you an unbiased perspective. You can also talk with a trusted friend or family member, they may have had similar experiences or just suggestions about things you can try.Don’t let the stigma that often surrounds therapy discourage you from trying it.

Here are very detailed steps to identify your calling, your life purpose. Unfortunately, life can’t be that simple, and to realize your meaning, you need to gain and comprehend life experience. I can’t rationally think things over when I don’t feel it emotionally. Heintzelman and King suggest that routines, patterns , time blocking, and clean environments can all contribute to an increased ability to make sense of one’s environment, which in turn can lead to an increased sense of meaningfulness. Making connections with other individuals and maintaining these relationships are reliable ways to develop a sense of meaningfulness (Heintzelman & King, 2014). Although ‘meaningfulness’ is often confounded with other constructs such as purpose, coherence, and happiness, some researchers argue that these constructs are not interchangeable, but instead form a complex relationship and exist separately.

• The results of the open-ended question suggest that when asked to describe, in their own words, what provides them with meaning and fulfillment and satisfaction in life, relatively few people think immediately of pets or caring for animals.
• One popular school of thought, Gaudiya Vaishnavism, teaches the concept of Achintya Bheda Abheda.
• According to the extreme version, if one has a soul but fails to put it in the right state , then one’s life is meaningless.
• One should seek the advancement of humanity and of all life to the greatest degree feasible and seek to reconcile Renaissance humanism with the 21st century’s technoscientific culture.
• Another claim about which there is substantial consensus is that meaningfulness is not all or nothing and instead comes in degrees, such that some periods of life are more meaningful than others and that some lives as a whole are more meaningful than others.

If a person’s life is significant insofar as she is true to herself or her deepest nature, then we have some reason to believe that meaning simply is a function of those matters for which the person cares. For another, it is uncontroversial that often meaning comes from losing oneself, i.e., in becoming absorbed in an activity or experience, as opposed to being bored by it or finding it frustrating (Frankfurt 1988, 80–94; Belliotti 2019, 162–70). Work that concentrates the mind and relationships that are engrossing seem central to meaning and to be so because of the subjective elements involved. For a third, meaning is often taken to be something that makes life worth continuing for a specific person, i.e., that gives her a reason to get out of bed in the morning, which subjectivism is thought to account for best (Williams 1976; Svensson 2017; Calhoun 2018). The rest of this discussion addresses philosophical attempts to capture the nature of this value theoretically and to ascertain whether it exists in at least some of our lives. If you are struggling to find meaning in life, try making a list of goals that you can work towards, like writing a book, learning to play the guitar, or becoming a dentist.