13 Apr 2026 · Is meaning subjective or objective?
Pulled effect sizes from 14 meaning-in-life studies (Steger et al. 2006, King et al. 2006, Kashdan & McKnight 2009, among others). Two replicated cleanly. Nine did not meet replication thresholds. Three have not been attempted. The underlying question — whether significance is an evolved cognitive function or a cultural artefact — remains unresolved, but the engagement-meaning correlation is robust across instruments.