Modern Insecurity and The Quest for Lift’s Meaning through Dying

Abstract

The phenomenon of internal insecurity amidst an uncertain life context drives individuals to seek internal stability to anchor their lives, raising questions about the meaning of life, both in living and dying. This article presents a theoretical study through a literature review to understand the operations of modern conditions on social life at the individual level, including the values and meanings that reflect identity and selfhood. This understanding aims to foster processes and perspectives that better comprehend life and the problems of existence in modern society. The study reveals that the blurring of values and meanings in modern conditions contributes to internal insecurity. The late modern era compels individuals to uphold their identity as a “self” of the era while simultaneously negotiating and integrating with the surrounding social context through their own way of life. The connection of an individual’s social life through relationships with various entities creates formal bonds, filled with the hope of having pure relationships with the world. The key issues identified are: 1) Changes in shared values within society, 2) Transformations at the individual level, particularly concerning identity and selfhood, and 3) Relationships in the modern context. The problem of losing values and meaning can be addressed through learning about the meaning of life, particularly by fostering awareness through experiences with death. Living life to contemplate and understand the sources of meaning for each individual is a proposal of this work. Both individuals and society must provide space to learn and design the meaning of life, originating from either external or internal sources. Simultaneously, society must also reconsider and be aware of co-creating new shared values and meanings that seek a common understanding connected to the public.