2. The Search for Meaning
• Many of the questions that people ask are
about the meaning of life
• Some of the questions that people view as
difficult or important are questions about
the meaning of life
• When we ask questions about life we are
looking for meaning
3. What makes us ask deeper
questions about life?
• The death of a friend or relative - is there
life after death?
• Watching someone close becoming older
and more dependent.
• Being faced with unemployment
• When a very close relationship ends.
• Becoming anxious about examinations
-What's the point?
• Meeting a severely handicapped person.
• Witnessing a beautiful scene in nature.
4. ‘Meaning’
When we use meaning in this sense we
are talking about something, an idea or a
way of looking at things that helps us to
understand what happens in our lives
more.
Let's use two images to help us to
understand the word meaning.
5. 1. The Map
A map helps to point us in the right
direction. It helps to keep us on the right
path. When things don't work out in our
lives, when we have a lot of questions we
can feel confused, we can even feel a bit
lost. Anything that gives our lives a sense
of meaning is like the map, it can put us
back on the right path and set us in the
right direction again.
6. 2. A Light
Imagine walking down a dark tunnel with
no light to guide you, it would be almost
impossible to find your way. When we are
searching for answers we can feel that we
are searching in the dark. Meaning is like
a light, it helps us to find our way. It sheds
light on the darkness.
7. ‘Meaning’
• Meaning is something that directs our lives, it
gives us a sense of purpose and it can help us
to shed light on the questions that we have.
• Finding meaning in our lives is not like going to
the back of the maths book to find the correct
answers! If we really want to understand things
we have to work at them.
8. Meaning in Family
Many young people look at their family
as a source of meaning. In other words,
being part of a family gives them a
sense of purpose.
In our families we find meaning, we
feel a sense of purpose, we feel
that we belong.
9. Meaning in Friendship
Friendship gives meaning to our lives, it
helps us to mature and develop as human
beings, it gives us a sense of being
worthwhile, of being cared about.
10. Music and Meaning
Music allows people to express feelings
which are deep inside them and it helps
them to find meaning.
There is no doubt about it, music is a
source of meaning for many people. We
can sometimes feel that a singer knows
exactly how we feel.
11. Religion and Meaning
For many people Religion provides an important
source of meaning; Religion does not try to give
us all the answers but it does help us to
understand what happens in our lives.
Christians try to follow Jesus' example. They try
to bring meaning into other peoples lives through
their love and friendship.
12. Sources of meaning in your life?
My friends Pleasure My family
Success Good results Books
Good health Fame Laughter
Good looks Music Being cared for
Cool clothes Sport A good education
Religion Popularity Poetry
Respect for others Money Concern for others
Working for justice Fame My boyfriend/girlfriend
Being independent God Being free
Intelligence Making the world a better Travel
place
List 4 things, in order of importance, from the list that make
your life meaningful. Add others to the list if you want.
13. Finding answers to questions of
meaning
Below are some possible answers to questions of meaning. Read each source of
meaning and circle the number that best expresses your opinion of that source.
1 = I totally agree with this statement 2 = 1 agree with this statement
3 = 1 am undecided about this statement 4 = 1 disagree with this statement
5 = 1 disagree totally with this statement
The important thing is to be popular. If I can fit in I will be happy 1 2 3 4 5
The important thing is to look out for myself. I must take care of myself first and last 1 2 3 4 5
A good education is very important in life. I must work hard to get into college. 1 2 3 4 5
The important thing is to have as much fun as possible. The main thing in life is to always feel good. 1 2 3 4 5
The most important thing in my life is my Relationship with family and friends. Without diem life 1 2 3 4 5
would have no meaning.
My aim in life is to make as much money as possible. Wealth is the key to happiness. 1 2 3 4 5
Above all, I want to be successful in whatever I'm doing. Failure is to be avoided at all costs avoided at 1 2 3 4 5
all
