Lebenssinn

Lebenssinn is a German term that translates roughly as "meaning of life" or "sense of life." It denotes the perceived purpose, worth, or orientation that gives a life its coherence and direction. In German-language philosophy and psychology, Lebenssinn is used to discuss how individuals interpret their experiences within a larger life narrative.

Scholarly discussions connect Lebenssinn with existential, humanistic, and phenomenological strands of thought. It is closely related to the more widely used notion Sinn des Lebens, but Lebenssinn emphasizes the experiential and longitudinal aspect of a person’s life. In psychology, the concept overlaps with "meaning in life" or "purpose in life" and is considered a contributor to well-being and resilience. Viktor Frankl's logotherapy has influenced discussions on life meaning, though his core term is Sinn.

Sources of Lebenssinn can include intimate relationships, work or creative activity, personal values, moral or religious beliefs, and alignment with broader cultural or communal goals. The sense of life is often described as dynamic and evolving, changing with life stages, experiences, and cultural context.

Debates surround whether Lebenssinn is primarily a subjective construction or whether there are objective, existential anchors that confer meaning. In practice, the term appears in literature, philosophy, psychology, and self-help discourse to describe how people orient their actions toward a larger purpose.