Skip to main content
  • 1013 Accesses

Abstract

Searching for meaning in work is always based on a specific concept of the human being. Von Devivere highlights the tacit image of humans in behavioral sciences, economic theory, and practices; until today’s age of knowledge, of science, natural sciences and technology are again relating to some implicit image of humans. Von Devivere discusses the various fields of meaning-related sciences – philosophical, existential, linguistic, and psychological – with their multiple, either functional or terminal, definitions of “meaning” in work and life. The author finally elicits the discussion on meaning issues in work, embracing an existential understanding of the human condition and addressing the individual person’s ultimate concerns and search for ultimate meaning.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 49.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 64.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Batthyany A, Russo-Netzer P (2014) Meaning in positive and existential psychology. Springer, New York, pp 3–22

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Bernstein L (2006) The joy of music. Amadeus Press, Newark

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark K (1969) Civilization: a personal view. BBC Books, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Jurica J, Barenz J, Shim Y, Graham K, Steger MF (2014) Ultimate concerns from existential and positive psychological perspectives. In: Batthyany A, Russo-Netzer P (eds) Meaning in positive and existential psychology. Springer, New York, pp 115–128

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • MacKenzie MJ, Baumeister R (2014) Meaning in life: nature, needs, and myths. In: Batthyany A, Russo-Netzer P (eds) Meaning in positive and existential psychology. Springer, New York, pp 25–39

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Mascaro N (2014) Meaning sensitive psychotherapy. In: Batthyany A, Russo-Netzer P (eds) Meaning in positive and existential psychology. Springer, New York, pp 269–289

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Schnell T, Hoege T, Pollet E (2013) Predicting meaning in work: theory, data, implications. J Posit Psychol 8(6):543–554

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wong PTP (1998) Implicit theories of meaningful life and the development of the personal meaning profile. In: Wong PTP, Fry PS (eds) The human quest for meaning: a handbook of psychological research and clinical applications. Lawrence Erlbaum, Mahwah

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

von Devivere, B. (2018). The Image of Humans in Search for Meaning. In: Meaningful Work: Viktor Frankl’s Legacy for the 21st Century. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-89791-2_2

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics