Waseda University Study Reimagines Meaning in Life Through Phenomenology

Research from Waseda University has introduced a new framework for understanding the concept of “meaning in life” through the lens of phenomenology and philosophy. Led by Professor Masahiro Morioka, the study was published online in the journal Philosophia on June 4, 2025, aiming to bridge the gap between philosophical inquiry and psychological insights.

The study highlights the significant role that subjective emotions and moods play in how individuals perceive the meaning of their lives. Philosopher Matthew Ratcliffe emphasizes that a person’s mood operates subtly in the background, shaping their understanding of life’s significance. This perspective is further corroborated by empirical research in psychology, which has explored how mood influences perceptions of meaning.

Morioka’s research takes a unique approach by examining how “meaning in life” develops amid the interplay between an individual’s lived experiences and their aspirations. Rather than debating whether life’s meaning is subjective, objective, or a combination of both, the study proposes a “Geographic Model of Meaning in Life.” This model suggests that the way individuals engage with their lives—marked by specific attitudes and commitments—elicits various responses from their experiences.

According to Morioka, the model posits that life’s value is shaped by an individual’s explorative actions, which can lead to experiences of both significance and distress. He explains, “The geographic model of meaning in life is the whole set of patterns of combinations of lived experiences of the worthfulness of living a life that are experienced being activated by my action of probing into my life in the here and now.” This probing resembles the actions of a blind person navigating their environment with a cane, emphasizing the active role individuals play in shaping their understanding of life.

The research marks a paradigm shift by treating both meaningful and tragic experiences as integral parts of the same experiential landscape. By integrating phenomenological methodology into the philosophy of life’s meaning, Morioka’s study opens pathways for interdisciplinary collaboration between philosophy and psychology. This approach could yield fresh insights into how individuals comprehend their existence.

Furthermore, existing psychological scales measuring life meaning vary in approach and efficacy. Morioka’s geographic model presents a novel perspective, potentially enriching the field with new methodologies for understanding the significance of life experiences.

Looking ahead, Morioka expresses ambition to integrate his findings with other philosophical approaches to meaning in life, including solipsistic perspectives and liberation-based methods. He aims to construct a systematic framework that could further our understanding of what it means to live a meaningful life.

This innovative study not only enriches the ongoing discourse on life’s meaning but also invites future research to explore the complex interplay between experience, exploration, and perception in human existence.