The Meaning of Life and Self-actualization: Understanding ASEAN

Abstract

         Achieving the meaning of life is the purpose of each individual, butwhat is the meaning of life and how to get it can be analyzed through the cultural situationism. By contrasting the ways to the meaning of life from Karl Marx's perspective and Confucius' perspective, Marx constructs dialectical materialism, in which he envisions the Communism. Through changing of the economic and politic system of Capitalism, people get freedom and have self-actualization. Meanwhile, Confucianism devotes enculturation to the existing society, through education, people can get the meaning of life. With the methodology of logic and the explanation of culture based on 4TIS, the uniqueness of the choice of individual and the developing of organization can be better understood and the diversity of cultures also can be recognised. The conclusion is: 1) The meaning of life is only defined by subject; 2) The self-actualization is determined by the subject and its cultural situation; and 3) The developing way of a society or a group depends on subjects' cultural recognition and their traditions.