Meaning of life

This morning, I read an article in the Bloovi newsletter that I feel touches on a subject that is important if we as a society want to take things to the next level. It also reminded me of a book that is very near to my heart, Levenszin (The Meaning of Life). It is a work written by Jessie Dezutter. She is a professor of psychology at KU Leuven and this work is the result of years of scientific research.

Stephan Bostoen

Waarom zovelen leeglopen in een tijd vol kansen. We hebben alles, behalve drive. Purpose vinden is dé intrinsieke motivatie voor groei en welvaart. (Why are so many people feeling empty at a time full of opportunities? We have everything except drive. Finding purpose is the intrinsic motivation for growth and prosperity.) This is the lengthy but self-explanatory title of the article written by Stephan Bostoen at Bloovi. In the introduction, he writes:

"We live at the highest level of prosperity in history. We are healthier, safer and better surrounded than any generation before us. Our basic needs are met, our schedules allow for plenty of free time and connection with friends, and there are many opportunities waiting to be seized. But it is precisely this progress that creates a new problem. The more our external needs disappear, the more difficult it becomes to find internal motivation.

More and more people are becoming disconnected from their work, lacking direction and feeling empty in a world that nevertheless offers everything. So the real issue today is not survival, but what we live for.

Finding meaning in life is no longer a luxury, but a necessity. Read the article, because it also clearly explains Maslov's hierarchy of needs.

Jessie Dezutter

Levenszin (Meaning of Life), Jessie Dezutter's book, is the result of years of scientific research. The subtitle reads “Dealing with ultimate questions in the autumn of our lives”. Jessie's research focuses primarily on people in the autumn of their lives. But make no mistake. Although scientifically based, it is very accessible, and although it may appear to be intended solely for senior citizens, this is not the case; it is a work for everyone.

The book begins with references to Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. This trio is cited in many works. However, I found the references here to be quite refreshing. When I mention those three names, you might expect very difficult texts. But here, I really got the feeling, ‘Oh! I can understand that also that way!’

There is also a cautionary example of people in concentration camps who still managed to find meaning. 

What did I take away from it? That a meaningful life is more valuable than a life full of ‘little happinesses’ (or pleasures). Incidentally, that is also the message of Russ Harris's book The Happiness Trap. Also a scientifically based book.

Politics

When things go wrong, it often provokes protest. Past injustices have often led to new initiatives. Wealthy industrialists who became even richer at the expense of an impoverished population provided the ideal breeding ground for socialism.

But what is the danger? We install the same system, but we switch roles and we think we have curbed a great injustice.

What was the initial problem? Industrialists who were too materialistic. Of course, the socialist movement brought a great deal of prosperity. Stephan Bostoen's article also mentions Maslow's hierarchy of needs. For many people, their lives became more secure and stable. Working was less a matter of pure survival.

The risk of a socialist movement: it makes the “working man” materialistic. That is the risk if you want to install the same system with only the roles changed.

We must be careful not to condemn this too quickly. If a system is flawed, it is better to make structural changes. But that requires a helicopter view. Or, in other words, meta-thinking: thinking about the way we think. When there are major abuses, asking people to think on a different level can feel like placing an extra burden on the shoulders of victims.

Moreover, there is also such a thing as progressive insight. Major changes may be best implemented in small steps so that adjustments can be made and any issues can be addressed.

But to cut a long story short. Aren't left-wing parties sometimes a little too materialistic? Shouldn't a movement that is social and democratic focus a little more on the meaning of life and a little more on the common good?