Optimism of the Will

Searching for meaning in a post-scarcity society. Implications for creativity and job design

The significance of meaningful and productive work, and the search for profound meaning within it, is akin to the air we breathe. Its importance is often realized only when it becomes contaminated or depleted. In contemporary societies, there is a growing awareness of the significance of the meaning of work, while simultaneously witnessing mounting mistrust and disillusionment as to the significance and social value of numerous jobs. There is paradoxically an increasing demand for meaningful work, while the supply of such work appears to be gradually decreasing. At present, we are recognizing the importance of this vital component that sustains our well-being as it begins to dwindle. The absence of meaningful work may stem from the nature of the work itself, the organizational environment in which it takes place, the prevailing corporate culture, or even the way in which tasks are defined and managed, which makes it challenging to find a sense of purpose and meaning in what we do. While progress can be made on both fronts, addressing cultural and organizational aspects is a more expedient means of intervention without the need of waiting for structural changes in the global economic and social systems.

Sociology of Education for a Sustainable Future

The Special Issue of the journal Sustainability—The importance of Sociology of Education for a sustainable future, aims to offer a contribution to the deepening of the relationship between the Sociology of Education and sustainability. There are seven published papers that, to a greater or lesser degree, problematize this relationship. This editorial presents this Special Issue, the published papers, contextualising this topic in contemporary science, concluding that this potential has room to be fully developed.