What Does It Mean to Be Meaningful? A Logoteleological Perspective

"In Logoteleology, something is meaningful not because it feels good, but because it is true, life-giving, and aimed at noble ends. It is the intelligent alignment of our beliefs, values, and aims in service of love, peace, well-being, engagement, and prosperity."

Abstract

The term meaningful is frequently used to describe something that feels important, but it holds a more rigorous, scientific definition in the discipline of Logoteleology and Meaningful Purpose Psychology. This article defines "meaningful" as both a quality of interpretation and a life trajectory. Within Logoteleology, meaningfulness is assessed through the Meaning Quality Model—comprising intelligence, health, harmony, and awareness—and is also expressed through The Meaningful Path, which includes love, peace, happiness, well-being, engagement, and prosperity. Together, these frameworks provide an integrated standard for discerning what is truly meaningful.

Introduction

The pursuit of meaning is foundational to the human experience. Viktor Frankl (1985) argued that the primary urge in human beings is the will to meaning. However, the word meaningful is often used vaguely, without clear criteria for assessment. In the applied science of Logoteleology, meaning is not left to personal whim or sentiment. Rather, it is examined through a precise lens that accounts for both the quality and expression of meaning (Marrero, 2013; Marrero and Persuitte, 2022).

Defining “Meaningful”

In Logoteleology, something is meaningful when it meets two key standards:

1. Meaning Quality Model

This model evaluates whether a meaning is:

• Intelligent – Aligned with truth, accuracy, and critical thought, avoiding ignorance and cognitive bias (Popper, 1972).

• Healthy – Promoting psychological, emotional, and relational wellness (Ryff & Singer, 1998).

• Harmonious – Demonstrating congruence among one’s beliefs, values, feelings, attitudes, attributions, and aims, minimizing internal dissonance (Festinger, 1957).

• Aware – Perceived with mindfulness, allowing sound judgment, presence, and foresight (Brown & Ryan, 2003).

These four criteria help identify whether a meaning leads to human thriving or to confusion, dysfunction, or suffering.

2. The Meaningful Path

Beyond internal coherence and quality, meaningfulness must also reveal itself through a life path that is observable and experiential. In Logoteleology, this is called The Meaningful Path, which includes:

• Love – Expressed through self-compassion and prosocial attitudes and behaviors.

• Peace – Sustained through physical and psychological safety.

• Happiness and Well-Being – Inspired by Seligman’s PERMA model, including positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment (Seligman, 2011).

• Engagement – Involvement in interesting things, with interesting people, at interesting places, for noble and worthy ends.

• Prosperity – Encompassing financial, intellectual, spiritual, and experiential enrichment.

These five dimensions allow meaningfulness to be seen and measured in lived experiences and life narratives.

Philosophical and Etymological Grounding

The word “meaningful” derives from the Old English mænan, meaning “to signify” or “to intend.” It carries the philosophical implication of intention and directedness—an alignment with telos, or purpose (Aristotle, trans. 2009). Thus, something meaningful points beyond itself toward a desired end state and reflects purposeful design.

Psychological Relevance

From a psychological standpoint, meaning is essential to human flourishing. Researchers have identified that individuals need coherence, significance, and purpose to experience life as meaningful (Baumeister, 1991; Martela & Steger, 2016). Logoteleology refines this by distinguishing between low-quality meaning (e.g., delusions, biases, or destructive aims) and high-quality, meaningful life paths, which are both internally validated and externally manifested.

Meaningful vs. Meaningless

Meaninglessness arises when one’s interpretations or life direction lack coherence, truth, or value. A situation can be painful and meaningful if aligned with the Meaning Quality Model and The Meaningful Path. Conversely, experiences that are pleasurable but dissonant, dishonest, or devoid of prosocial value may ultimately prove meaningless (Frankl, 1985).

Conclusion

To live a meaningful life, one must both discern meaning wisely and walk a path that reflects human flourishing. In Logoteleology, meaningfulness is not merely a feeling but a scientifically measurable state. It must meet the standards of quality (truth, health, harmony, awareness) and expression (love, peace, well-being, engagement, prosperity). This twofold standard helps individuals and organizations build lives and systems that are not only successful but significant.

References

• Aristotle. (2009). Nicomachean ethics (W. D. Ross, Trans.). Oxford University Press. (Original work published ca. 350 BCE)

• Baumeister, R. F. (1991). Meanings of life. Guilford Press.

• Brown, K. W., & Ryan, R. M. (2003). The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(4), 822–848. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.84.4.822

• Festinger, L. (1957). A theory of cognitive dissonance. Stanford University Press.

• Frankl, V. E. (1985). Man’s search for meaning (Rev. ed.). Washington Square Press.

• Marrero, L. A. (2013). The path to a meaningful purpose: Psychological foundations of logoteleology. iUniverse.

• Marrero, L. A. (2024). Boston Institute for Meaningful Purpose Blog.  Meaningful and Meaningless Meanings: What’s the Difference and Why Does it Matter?

• Martela, F., & Steger, M. F. (2016). The three meanings of meaning in life: Distinguishing coherence, purpose, and significance. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 11(5), 531–545. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2015.1137623

• Popper, K. R. (1972). Objective knowledge: An evolutionary approach. Oxford University Press.

• Ryff, C. D., & Singer, B. (1998). The contours of positive human health. Psychological Inquiry, 9(1), 1–28. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327965pli0901_1

• Seligman, M. E. P. (2011). Flourish: A visionary new understanding of happiness and well-being. Free Press.

(c) 2025. Luis A. Marrero. Boston Institute for Meaningful Purpose.