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Conversations as Carriers of Meaning to a Common Good

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Handbook of Quality of Life in African Societies

Part of the book series: International Handbooks of Quality-of-Life ((IHQL))

Abstract

In this chapter we argue that wellbeing and quality of life should be addressed at the public sphere, not only at an intra-personal level, with attention to a communal meaning which include more than economic indicators. We advocate for relational wellbeing through conversations among individuals, societies and cultures against the backdrop of a strong relational ontology and making meaning in relatedness on an empirical level as is in particular important in an African context. We consider conversations as carriers of meanings on intrapersonal, interpersonal and social levels through interconnectedness and coordination of worldviews. We in particular argue for the social foundations of a common wellbeing, and indicate what meaningful conversations at the community level entails. Finally, we argue the importance of conversations as carriers of meaning to enhance quality of life and facilitation of global peace – one of the most esteemed goals of humanity. This is one of the ways to realize collective meaning.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto Superior de Ciências Sociais e Politicas (ISCSP), University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal

    H. Á. Marujo & L. M. Neto

  2. Africa Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa

    M. P. Wissing

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  1. H. Á. Marujo
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  2. L. M. Neto
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  3. M. P. Wissing
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Correspondence to L. M. Neto .

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  1. Faculty of Education, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa

    Irma Eloff

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Marujo, H.Á., Neto, L.M., Wissing, M.P. (2019). Conversations as Carriers of Meaning to a Common Good. In: Eloff, I. (eds) Handbook of Quality of Life in African Societies. International Handbooks of Quality-of-Life. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-15367-0_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-15367-0_6

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-15366-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-15367-0

  • eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)

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