Meaning Crisis
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A Meaning Crisis is a sociocultural phenomenon that is a psychological phenomenon characterized by profound loss of meaning, purpose, or shared values in individuals or communities.
- AKA: Existential Vacuum, Purpose Void, Significance Crisis.
- Context:
- It can (typically) manifest in Modern Western Society through secularization eroding traditional religious and ideological narratives since the late 20th century.
- It can (typically) produce Symptomatic Expressions including rising depression, anxiety, cynicism, and escapist behaviors compensating for deeper fulfillment absence.
- It can (often) result from Historical Transitions between worldviews, such as shifts from sacred to secular frames leaving values fragmented.
- It can (often) provoke Counter-Movements including fundamentalist revivals, new age spiritualities, self-help proliferation, or community rebuilding efforts.
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- It can range from being an Individual Meaning Crisis to being a Collective Meaning Crisis, depending on its social scope.
- It can range from being an Acute Meaning Crisis to being a Chronic Meaning Crisis, depending on its temporal duration.
- It can range from being a Mild Meaning Crisis to being a Severe Meaning Crisis, depending on its intensity level.
- It can range from being a Local Meaning Crisis to being a Global Meaning Crisis, depending on its geographical spread.
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- Example(s):
- Japanese Hikikomori Phenomenon, where youth withdraw from unfulfilling social scripts into isolation.
- Post-War Existential Literature, like Camus' "The Stranger" depicting protagonists with moral indifference.
- Midlife Executive Crisis, feeling life meaninglessness despite career achievements and material success.
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- Counter-Example(s):
- Traditional Community Coherence, with strong religious faith providing clear purpose and belonging.
- Material Hardship With Meaning, where survival struggles coexist with robust shared narratives.
- Lifelong Purpose Clarity, where individuals with strong callings never experience existential drift.
- See: Meaning-Making Process, Existential Meaning, Narrative Cognition, Religious Naturalism, John Vervaeke, Nietzsche, Death of God, Existentialism, Secular Humanism, Life Purpose, Nihilism, Anomie, Alienation, Postmodernity.