Psychology, Values, and the Meaning of Life: Bridging the Philosophy–Psychology Divide.

The article presents a psycho-axiological model that integrates psychological and philosophical perspectives on life-meaning by identifying 14 essential "modes of mind," each linked to specific human values and corresponding theories of the meaning of life. These modes—ranging from experience, desire, and cognition to relationality, transcendence, and limitation—are argued to be fundamental psychological functions that provide the basis for both subjective life-meaning and objective, transcultural values. The model suggests that meaningful life involves the actualization of these values despite obstacles, bridging individual psychological experience with broader, potentially cosmic, notions of meaning. Empirical psychological research supports the relevance of these modes to individuals' sense of meaning, while the article emphasizes that psychology can illuminate but not prescribe how one should live meaningfully.