Contribution, Replaceability and the Meaning of Our Lives

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

I explore some surprising results concerning positive individual contributions, focusing on those made in one's job or in the position one holds. The replaceability of most people on the job or in positions of influence threatens our common sense notion of contribution. Two concepts of contribution are distinguished, and help to limit the sense of paradox, but do not completely eliminate it. The ideal of making a contribution that would not be done were one not to do it is seen as both highly threatening and potentially very important for acquiring meaning in one's life. Finally, some hazards of our conclusions are seen to lead to thoughts about the dangers of open disclosure.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1481-1496
Number of pages16
JournalTheoria
Volume87
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2021

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Stifielsen Theoria.

Keywords

  • contribution
  • meaning in life
  • meaning of life
  • replaceability
  • work

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Philosophy

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