Introduction
Human beings are not only driven by survival or comfort — we are meaning-seeking creatures. From ancient philosophy to modern psychology, the pursuit of meaning has been recognized as central to wellbeing. Whether in the midst of personal crises, daily routines, or moments of deep joy, the question of “why does this matter?” inevitably arises.
Contemporary science supports what existential philosophers and psychologists like Viktor Frankl and Alfried Längle have long emphasized: living with meaning and purpose is vital for mental, emotional, and even physical health. In this article, we explore why meaning matters, weaving together scientific findings and the principles of Existential Analysis.
Meaning and Health: What Science Shows
Reduced Risk of Illness and Mortality
Research demonstrates that having a sense of life purpose protects health. A study published in JAMA Network Open found that older adults with higher levels of purpose had significantly lower risks of mortality and cardiovascular disease (Alimujiang et al., 2019). This suggests that purpose acts as a protective factor, possibly because it motivates healthier choices and strengthens resilience in the face of stress.
Mental Health and Resilience
A purposeful life is also strongly associated with lower rates of depression and anxiety. Purpose serves as a buffer against stress, enabling individuals to cope with adversity more effectively. Kumar et al. (2019) showed that a sense of purpose reduces rumination and strengthens resilience, allowing people to reframe challenges with perspective and hope.
Longevity and Cognitive Health
Purpose does not just improve daily wellbeing — it is linked to living longer and healthier lives. Hill and Turiano (2014) found that adults with a strong sense of purpose had a 15% reduced risk of death over 14 years. Similarly, Boyle et al. (2012) discovered that purpose is associated with slower cognitive decline, suggesting that meaningful engagement supports brain health over time.
In short, science confirms what philosophy has suggested for centuries: to live meaningfully is to live well.
Existential Analysis: The Foundations of Meaning
While science tells us that meaning matters, Existential Analysis (EA) helps us understand why and how. Developed by Alfried Längle, EA expands on Viktor Frankl’s logotherapy, exploring the inner conditions required for a fulfilling life. Central to EA are the Four Fundamental Motivations (FMs), each addressing an existential dimension of human existence:
- FM1: Do I have space, protection, and support in the world?
This addresses our basic need for safety, grounding, and belonging. Without this foundation, higher aspirations are difficult to sustain. - FM2: Do I experience fulfillment, affection, and appreciation of values?
Meaning grows when we feel connected to values and when life feels worthwhile — whether through love, creativity, or shared ideals. - FM3: Do I relate authentically to myself and others?
Authenticity is crucial: meaning arises when we live truthfully with ourselves and in genuine relationships with others. - FM4: Do I engage in what is meaningful and purposeful?
The highest level involves orienting ourselves toward tasks, commitments, and values that give life direction and significance.
Together, these motivations highlight that meaning is not a singular discovery but a lived process. It emerges through relationships, values, authenticity, and purposeful engagement.
Viktor Frankl and the Human Search for Meaning
Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning (1946/2006) remains one of the most influential works on this subject. Frankl, a psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor, observed that those who maintained a sense of purpose were more likely to endure unimaginable suffering. His insight: meaning is not given, but chosen — even in the most limited of circumstances.
Frankl emphasized that life continually presents us with “existential tasks” — situations where we must decide how to respond. Our freedom lies not in controlling conditions but in choosing our attitude toward them. This insight resonates deeply with EA’s fourth motivation: the call to engage with what is meaningful and purposeful.
Micro-Moments of Meaning
A common misconception is that meaning is only found in grand achievements — becoming a doctor, founding a charity, or writing a book. While such pursuits can indeed be meaningful, existential analysis teaches us that purpose emerges through small, everyday choices.
These micro-moments of meaning accumulate to form a purposeful life:
- Choosing to put down the phone and listen fully to a loved one.
- Stepping into nature mindfully, instead of rushing through it.
- Offering kindness to a colleague or stranger.
- Aligning daily work with personal values, even in small ways.
Such decisions are illuminated in EA’s model of Personal Existential Analysis:
- Perceiving reality — seeing facts and context clearly.
- Acknowledging emotions and values — noticing what matters most in the situation.
- Value-based decisions — choosing what is most worthwhile.
- Action — living out that choice in reality.
Through this process, individuals build a lifestyle oriented toward meaning rather than impulsivity or fleeting pleasures.
Beyond the Individual: Community and Meaning
Meaning is not only personal but collective. Research in positive psychology shows that altruism, compassion, and gratitude enhance both individual and community wellbeing (Ricard et al., 2004; Fredrickson, 2014).
The Mountain Framework emphasizes the “Fellow Traveler” — the recognition that we do not journey alone. We build resilience and meaning through supportive relationships and shared values. Strong communities allow individuals to flourish, and individuals committed to values contribute to healthier societies.
Conclusion: Choosing a Meaningful Path
The science is clear: purpose protects health, supports resilience, and fosters longevity. Existential Analysis deepens this by showing us that meaning is not abstract — it is grounded in the Four Fundamental Motivations and realized through authentic choices in daily life.
Finding meaning is not about waiting for life to reveal its purpose; it is about choosing to live purposefully in each moment. Whether through acts of kindness, honest self-reflection, or value-driven decisions, every small choice can orient us toward a life of depth and fulfillment.
As Viktor Frankl wrote, “Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of meaning and purpose.”
References
- Alimujiang, A., Wiensch, A., Boss, J., Fleischer, N. L., Mondul, A. M., McLean, K., & Pearce, C. L. (2019). Association between life purpose and mortality among US adults older than 50 years. JAMA Network Open, 2(5), e194270. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.4270
- Boyle, P. A., Barnes, L. L., Buchman, A. S., & Bennett, D. A. (2012). Purpose in life is associated with a reduced risk of incident disability among community-dwelling older persons. Psychological Science, 23(12), 1350–1356. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797612447804
- Frankl, V. E. (2006). Man’s search for meaning. Beacon Press. (Original work published 1946).
- Fredrickson, B. L. (2014). Love 2.0. Plume.
- Hill, P. L., & Turiano, N. A. (2014). Purpose in life as a predictor of mortality across adulthood. Psychological Science, 25(7), 1482–1486. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797614531799
- Kumar, S., Ryan, R. M., Deci, E. L., & Levesque-Bristol, C. (2019). Purpose, resilience, and mental health: The role of basic psychological need satisfaction. Clinical Psychological Science, 7(3), 622–634. https://doi.org/10.1177/2167702618810195
- Längle, A. (2011). The search for meaning in life and the existential fundamental motivations. Existential Analysis, 22(1), 25–40.
- Ricard, M., Lutz, A., & Davidson, R. J. (2004). Meditation and the neuroscience of compassion. Science, 303(5663), 308–310.