The Evolving Purpose of Meaning in Everyday Life

Key Insight

In this framework, 'meaning' specifically refers to the purpose or 'why' behind people's actions, in contrast to 'solutions' which represent the 'how.' For example, historically, a candle's purpose was utilitarian—to illuminate a room during a power outage. Decades later, its purpose evolved: a candle on a dinner table now signifies warmth and welcome, demonstrating a radical shift in its underlying meaning. This framework focuses on the 'special importance or purpose of something that makes you feel that your life is valuable.'

Meaning encompasses three interconnected types of purpose: utilitarian, symbolic, and emotional. Utilitarian meaning provides practical utility, such as a candle's fragrance covering a bad smell. Symbolic meaning allows actions to send messages, like lighting a candle to show care for visitors. Emotional meaning reflects the personal value of an action, such as a candle evoking Christmas memories or pleasing the senses. While product language (how an object is designed) and communication (what an action expresses) are related, the core emphasis is on the intrinsic 'why' and its value to the individual.

The search for meaning, once primarily confined to philosophical discourse or adolescent introspection, has permeated the ordinary, daily lives of adults. Unlike previous generations who found stable answers and direction in adulthood, people today continually question and renegotiate the purpose of even humble actions, such as buying a car or lighting a candle, in a constantly changing society. This concept, termed 'ordinary meaning,' posits that individuals are now actively and continuously engaged in finding personal significance in their prosaic experiences, making them open to reconsidering and innovating the meaning they attach to things.