In The Power of Meaning: Crafting a Life that Matters, Emily Esfahani-Smith claims there is a crisis in meaning (DC)because people do not know their purpose in life. As Smith explains why there is a crisis, she mentions the four pillars of meaning which are belonging, purpose, storytelling, and transcendence. These four pillars contribute to how people find meaning in their lives, because people go through situations where they struggle to belong (belonging), find a stable, long term purpose (purpose), interpret the circumstances that happened to them (storytelling), and lose themselves in something bigger, whether a spiritual reality or the mystery of the tangible world itself (transcendence). (DC)Although belonging is an important aspect
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Durkheim analyzed the correlation between suicide and several variables such as marriage, education levels, and religious orientation. During his examination, he discovered how “suicide is not just an individual phenomenon arising from people’s personal troubles. It is also a social problem” (56). His research revealed how people are more likely to commit suicide when they feel alone and alienated from their communities. Suicide rates were higher in single people than married people, and people who were childless than people with children. It’s not surprising to see the rates higher for those who are alone, because without people by our side, negative thoughts can take over our minds. In addition, regarding to education, people with higher education levels were more likely to challenge values, which can be lonesome, being different from other people taking a stand for what they believe in. Furthermore, as for religion, people, who have religious obligations and a strong belief system in their religions, were protected against suicide, because they have something they belong to and are anchored down by them. The suicide rates were lower for united people and people who have duties to fulfill, because they have a sense of belonging and purpose, and can’t disappoint their people. Durkheim concluded how when people oppose the limits and traditions of a community, they will feel directionless and start to lose hope in life. Without even the slightest sense of belonging to someone, somewhere, or something, people can feel like an outsider and might start to think, “Why am I even here? I have nothing, so what is the point, ” which may result in committing
Durkheim analyzed the correlation between suicide and several variables such as marriage, education levels, and religious orientation. During his examination, he discovered how “suicide is not just an individual phenomenon arising from people’s personal troubles. It is also a social problem” (56). His research revealed how people are more likely to commit suicide when they feel alone and alienated from their communities. Suicide rates were higher in single people than married people, and people who were childless than people with children. It’s not surprising to see the rates higher for those who are alone, because without people by our side, negative thoughts can take over our minds. In addition, regarding to education, people with higher education levels were more likely to challenge values, which can be lonesome, being different from other people taking a stand for what they believe in. Furthermore, as for religion, people, who have religious obligations and a strong belief system in their religions, were protected against suicide, because they have something they belong to and are anchored down by them. The suicide rates were lower for united people and people who have duties to fulfill, because they have a sense of belonging and purpose, and can’t disappoint their people. Durkheim concluded how when people oppose the limits and traditions of a community, they will feel directionless and start to lose hope in life. Without even the slightest sense of belonging to someone, somewhere, or something, people can feel like an outsider and might start to think, “Why am I even here? I have nothing, so what is the point, ” which may result in committing