Existential Meaning
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An Existential Meaning is a life significance representing the perceived purpose, value, or importance of one's existence within broader world contexts.
- AKA: Life Meaning, Existential Significance, Ultimate Purpose.
- Context:
- It can (typically) be explored through Existentialist Philosophy where humans create meaning through choices without predetermined purpose.
- It can (typically) constitute Psychological Foundations for mental health, with meaningful lives correlating to resilience and well-being per Viktor Frankl's research.
- It can (often) derive from Cultural Frameworks including religious service, secular humanism, creative expression, or experiential fullness.
- It can (often) face threats from Nihilistic Experiences or meaning crises when previous frameworks collapse, causing emptiness or despair.
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- It can range from being a Personal Existential Meaning to being a Universal Existential Meaning, depending on its scope of significance.
- It can range from being a Discovered Existential Meaning to being a Created Existential Meaning, depending on its origin nature.
- It can range from being a Stable Existential Meaning to being a Evolving Existential Meaning, depending on its temporal consistency.
- It can range from being a Religious Existential Meaning to being a Secular Existential Meaning, depending on its spiritual grounding.
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- Example(s):
- Creative Purpose Meaning, where novelists find life significance through storytelling that communicates and endures.
- Altruistic Service Meaning, with humanitarian doctors deriving purpose from relieving suffering.
- Post-Crisis Meaning Construction, where students create meaningful life projects after existential doubt periods.
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- Counter-Example(s):
- Nihilistic Meaninglessness, insisting life has no point or significance.
- External Success Without Meaning, achieving societal markers while feeling internally hollow.
- Mechanical Existence, executing tasks without reflection on purpose or significance.
- See: Meaning-Making Process, Life Purpose, Meaning Crisis, Self-Transcendence State, Viktor Frankl, Logotherapy, Existentialism, Nihilism, Jean-Paul Sartre, Albert Camus, Cosmic Perspective, Religious Naturalism, Secular Humanism, Purpose-Driven Life.