Satisfaction or Meaning

September 2025

My favorite question right now: is satisfaction found in meaning, or meaning in satisfaction?

Viktor Frankl's perspective would emphasize meaning as the means of satisfaction, making meaning the macro. Freud, considering the nature of the satisfaction he advocated for was mostly physical desire, would emphasize the opposite, claiming that satisfaction provides meaning.

I see the Bible's perspective as unclear. David is satisfied, continually finding meaning and purpose in the satisfaction he finds in the life which the Lord calls him to. However, David's meaning and purpose do not come from satisfaction; they come from the Lord. Though it must be noted that if the Lord were not satisfying, it seems as though David would not find meaning in Him.