Finding Meaning in an Imperfect World

Motivation

Time and Meaning: How to Make Our Lives More Meaningful

Iddo Landau, Ph.D. on June 15, 2021

What should you spend time on to create the most meaningful and fulfilling version of your life?

What should you spend time on to create the most meaningful and fulfilling version of your life?

Psychiatry

Does Nostalgia Enhance Life’s Meaning?

Iddo Landau, Ph.D. on May 11, 2021

Research suggests that recalling nostalgic memories may be a valuable tool in moments when life doesn't feel meaningful.

Research suggests that recalling nostalgic memories may be a valuable tool in moments when life doesn't feel meaningful.

Memory

What Are the Most Meaningful Moments of Your Life?

Iddo Landau, Ph.D. on April 27, 2021

Researchers have identified 5 key themes about the experiences people recall as meaningful.

Researchers have identified 5 key themes about the experiences people recall as meaningful.

Marriage

Do Marriage and Parenthood Increase Life’s Meaning?

Iddo Landau, Ph.D. on March 23, 2021

Some differences between women and men on marriage, parenthood, and meaningfulness.

Some differences between women and men on marriage, parenthood, and meaningfulness.

Career

Could Life Without Work Be Meaningful?

Iddo Landau, Ph.D. on February 23, 2021

If technology made work unnecessary, would our lives be meaningless?

If technology made work unnecessary, would our lives be meaningless?

Happiness

What Is the Goal of Psychotherapy?

Iddo Landau, Ph.D. on February 9, 2021

Should therapy aim for subjective happiness, objective well-being, or meaningfulness?

Should therapy aim for subjective happiness, objective well-being, or meaningfulness?

Happiness

5 Differences Between Happiness and Meaningfulness

Iddo Landau, Ph.D. on November 24, 2020

Those who look only for happiness may have insufficiently meaningful lives.

Those who look only for happiness may have insufficiently meaningful lives.

Intelligence

Do Education and Intelligence Enhance Life's Meaning?

Iddo Landau, Ph.D. on October 28, 2020

Are the lives of intelligent and highly educated people more meaningful?

Are the lives of intelligent and highly educated people more meaningful?

Gender

Is Meaningfulness Different for Women and for Men?

Iddo Landau, Ph.D. on October 12, 2020

Although rates of meaning are similar, sources of meaning in life differ.

Although rates of meaning are similar, sources of meaning in life differ.

Perfectionism

Does Life’s Meaning Change Through Life’s Stages?

Iddo Landau, Ph.D. on September 29, 2020

Different stages may call for different ways to enhance life’s meaning.

Different stages may call for different ways to enhance life’s meaning.

Philosophy

Does Disinterest in Meaning Reveal a Meaningless Life?

Iddo Landau, Ph.D. on September 21, 2020

Are people who are not searching for meaning in life having meaningless and shallow lives?

Are people who are not searching for meaning in life having meaningless and shallow lives?

Addiction

Will Enhancing Life’s Meaning Diminish Substance Abuse?

Iddo Landau, Ph.D. on September 8, 2020

It may be that substance abuse should be fought by enhancing meaning in life.

It may be that substance abuse should be fought by enhancing meaning in life.

Anxiety

Does Being in the “Here and Now” Increase Life’s Meaning?

Iddo Landau, Ph.D. on June 30, 2020

Many try to focus as much as possible on the present. But transcending the moment is often much more helpful.

Many try to focus as much as possible on the present. But transcending the moment is often much more helpful.

Aging

How Common Is the Belief that Life Is Meaningless?

Iddo Landau, Ph.D. on June 16, 2020

Notwithstanding the oft-repeated claim, most people understand their lives to be quite meaningful.

Notwithstanding the oft-repeated claim, most people understand their lives to be quite meaningful.

Guilt

Why We Should Suspect the Feeling That Life Is Meaningless

Iddo Landau, Ph.D. on June 3, 2020

Can sensing life as meaningless be impacted by trivial events?

Can sensing life as meaningless be impacted by trivial events?

Intelligence

Is Meaning in Life Based on Value or Intelligibility?

Iddo Landau, Ph.D. on March 18, 2020

The claim that intelligibility makes life meaningful is tempting, but also problematic.

The claim that intelligibility makes life meaningful is tempting, but also problematic.

Philosophy

Does the Higher Power of the Bad Make Life Meaningless?

Iddo Landau, Ph.D. on March 4, 2020

Although the bad is more durable and impactful than the good, our lives can still be meaningful.

Although the bad is more durable and impactful than the good, our lives can still be meaningful.

Animal Behavior

Can Animals Have Meaningful Lives?

Iddo Landau, Ph.D. on February 19, 2020

Many hold that animals' lives are important and valuable, but debate whether they are also meaningful.

Many hold that animals' lives are important and valuable, but debate whether they are also meaningful.

Intelligence

Are Our Lives Really Worse Than We Think?

Iddo Landau, Ph.D. on December 7, 2019

According to David Banatar’s fortunati argument, we don’t notice how bad our lives are. Here’s a reply.

According to David Banatar’s fortunati argument, we don’t notice how bad our lives are. Here’s a reply.

Anger

3 Jokes About Undermining Our Own Well-Being

Iddo Landau, Ph.D. on November 26, 2019

Here are three stories on the ways many of us diminish opportunities to live well.

Here are three stories on the ways many of us diminish opportunities to live well.