The Search for Meaning in Life; A Psychological Attitude or Philosophical Exploration
Akhlāq-i zīstī i.e., Bioethics Journal,
Vol. 13 No. 38 (1402),
28 Khordad 2023
,
Page 1-9
https://doi.org/10.22037/bioeth.v13i38.41366
Abstract
Background and Aim: Today, exploring the meaning of life is one of the common issues of psychology and philosophy. In psychological analysis, meaning in life is considered a positive and desirable psychological quality, and is evaluated in relation to the stimulus, Communication and understanding of the person. However, in the end, the person-centered view of meaning of life does not provide any comprehensive answer to the question of what the meaning of life is. On the other hand, philosophy, with the approach of finding general and universal answers, tries to define fundamental principles for the meaning of life by laying metaphysical foundations. Therefore, he has tried to provide a comprehensive answer to the meaning of life with naturalistic and supernaturalist theories, although he has been criticized in this way.
Methods: In this comparative study, using the descriptive-analytical method, the similarities and differences between the two fields of psychology and philosophy in the field of the meaning of life have been investigated.
Ethical Considerations: The ethical principles of theoretical and library study, including honesty and trustworthiness in referring to sources, have been observed in this research.
Results: Based on the findings of this research, it can be said: First, Meaning is basically something that precedes us, so in analyzing the meaning of life, we should pay attention to the source of life; Secondly, the psychological view of the meaning of life has somehow degraded the meaning from a general thing to a personalized thing; Thirdly, returning to a philosophical view for the meaning of life can be the basis for preventing general nihilism in life.
Conclusion: Analyzing and interpreting the question of what is the meaning of life from a psychological and philosophical point of view and creating a structural and historical contrast between these two fields of knowledge, paves the way to find new answers to this problem.
- Meaning
- Life
- Psychology
- Philosophy
How to Cite
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