Expectations for the future - Issue 01D
30 December 2020
The question of the meaning of life is as old as humanity itself. For centuries, the answers were determined by religious powers. The discovery of unknown lands and technical inventions ultimately broadened not only the horizon, but also people's self-confident creative power.
The French Revolution, fuelled by the ideas of the Enlightenment, not only contributed to religious freedom, but also opened up the possibility of alternative answers to the question of meaning. Liberal logic developed - everyone was allowed to live and be happy in their own way.
Nowadays, the vast majority of people - at least in economically and democratically highly developed countries - take their freedom of choice in the market for meaningful offerings for granted and utilise it accordingly.
If you ask the population about the meaning of life, taking work into account, you get a combination of answers. Almost one in five Germans (18%) want to enjoy their lives and not work more than necessary. The motto is: You only live once.
In general, the younger the German citizen, the higher the approval rating. For example, 21 per cent of under 40-year-olds support this motto, while only seven per cent of over 70-year-olds share this view. The age groups that are predominantly of retirement age today associate professional work very strongly with the meaning of life.
Around a third of the population as a whole currently want to do something at work that is meaningful and fun. This proportion needs a task in life and wants to create and organise something themselves.
The opposite phenomenon can be observed here: The older the German citizen, the higher the approval rating. While 45 per cent of people over 70 define their work as the meaning of life, the figure is just under 30 per cent for those under 30. In principle, however, most German citizens agree with the assumption that both attitudes to life have elementary truths and are important.
Outlook
„Panta rhei“ - everything flows. The Greek philosopher Heraclitus came up with this formula around 2,500 years ago and it still holds true today: everything moves and changes (constantly). Our working world is currently facing changes that have not been seen for many decades. Digitalisation and automation, feminisation and the explosion in education as well as new needs and behaviours have led to the disappearance of old jobs and the emergence of new jobs and working models.
It is important for employees and employers to not simply adapt to these changed circumstances and opportunities, but to shape, mould and develop them together. This requires openness and flexibility as well as a willingness to compromise. Because even if work is no longer the sole purpose of life in the future, it will continue to be of central importance. Many people have recognised this and therefore want both: meaning and fun at and through work.
EN 
DE