The Psychology of Finding Meaning in Life - John Vervaeke (Video)
In this 18 January 2025 Modern Wisdom video, host Chris Williamson talks with John Vervaeke, a cognitive scientist, professor and YouTube educator.
Humans are meaning making machines. Even when we believe our lives lack meaning, we instinctively follow something; an idea, a goal, or a routine. So, how can we intentionally create more meaning in our lives, and what’s the best way to discover it when it feels absent?
Expect to learn why humans need meaning and why having meaning is very important to humans, what creates meaning for an individual, why the word purpose is not the same as meaning, the relationship between affluence and meaning, how to avoid self-deception, how to think about meaning without embracing something outside of reality and more.
https://youtu.be/bfAlC2Tn0bg
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00:00 Why Do Humans Need Meaning?
11:04 Do People Feel Like Their Lives Are Actually Real?
16:53 Differences Between Purpose & Meaning
24:02 Is the Pursuit of Meaning a Selfish One?
30:00 What is Causing Society’s Modern Lack of Meaning?
33:01 Could Having More Kids Solve the Meaning Crisis?
40:01 Does Religion Have to Be True For it to Be Useful?
47:35 Seeing Meaning as a Thinking Problem
53:21 The Principle of Unteachable Lessons
1:02:56 Why Would You Know What’s Best For Yourself?
1:09:35 Strategies to Be More Mindful in Daily Life
1:16:43 What‘s Next for John?
1:22:59 Where to Find John