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4 ways people try to make their lives meaningful

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The most unique thing about human beings is this: We are creatures who long to matter. 4 ways people try to make their lives meaningful — and the one that works best for you A new theory about why human beings evolved the need to feel purpose. That’s according to Rebecca Newberger Goldstein, the philosopher and author of a new book called The Mattering Instinct. If you’ve ever wondered why we huma...
Goldstein’s theory of the "mattering instinct" offers a compelling lens to understand human behavior, particularly in an era of rapid technological change. The strongest version of her argument is that the drive for meaning is not just cultural but evolutionary, rooted in our self-awareness and the need to justify our existence in a universe governed by entropy. This framework usefully categorizes how people seek purpose, acknowledging diversity in human motivation without reducing it to a singl...