Description
Social psychologist Baumeister opens with basic ideas and theories regarding the need for meaning, including a review of the interdisciplinary literature that covers what social scientists say about such matters as happiness, suffering, and death. He goes on to discuss self-identity, work, passionate love and domestic bliss, religion, and life changes, with appendices on the work ethic and the parenthood paradox. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.
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Who among us has not at some point asked, ``what is the meaning of life?'' In this extraordinary book, an eminent social scientist looks at the big picture and explores what empirical studies from diverse fields tell us about the human condition. MEANINGS OF LIFE draws together evidence from psychology, history, anthropology, and sociology, integrating copious research findings into a clear and conclusive discussion of how people attempt to make sense of their lives. In a lively and accessible style, emphasizing facts over theories, Baumeister explores why people desire meaning in their lives, how these meanings function, what forms they take, and what happens when life loses meaning. It is the most comprehensive examination of the topic to date.
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