Lebensdeutung

Lebensdeutung is a German term that translates roughly to the interpretation or meaning of life. In philosophy and psychology, it denotes the process by which a person interprets life experiences to yield a sense of purpose, coherence, and value. Lebensdeutung encompasses aspects such as personal values, goals, relationships, and worldviews that render experiences meaningful rather than arbitrary.

In existential philosophy, the meaning of life is a central concern, and later psychological theories expanded the idea into applied practice. Viktor Frankl’s logotherapy, for example, emphasizes Lebensdeutung as a primary motivational force. In this framework, individuals discover and pursue personally meaningful aims, even in the face of suffering, by focusing on what gives life meaning rather than solely alleviating symptoms.

In clinical and applied settings, Lebensdeutung informs meaning-centered approaches, narrative therapy, and resilience-building. It is used to help people construct coherent life stories, align actions with core values, and find direction in difficult circumstances. Critics note the subjectivity and cultural dependence of meaning-making and argue that overemphasizing Lebensdeutung can overlook structural or clinical factors affecting well-being.

The term is commonly used in German-speaking contexts and appears in discussions of logotherapy and existential psychology. It is related to broader questions about Sinn des Lebens (the sense or meaning of life) and Sinnfindung (meaning-making) and remains a focal point of debates on how humans orient themselves to their lives.