Our struggle for a social existence is a search for meaning and an attempt at its fulfillment. Expectation is for a world filled with unconditioned meaning. Social analysis of the 20th century systematically tried to exclude the metaphysical from interpretation and understanding. Other concepts of reality like developing an order of natural process, social structures, or the self have been substituted. Must use hermeneutical understanding, recognize the importance of speaking and interpreting the symbols that give meaning to our existence.
Social existence is both material and symbolic.
Need to become myth makers, cultural workers. Need to construct a social existence that attends to both conditions of material existence and the symbols for social and spiritual existence. To create a social existence filled with meaning that relates to an order in the universe. Have drawn from symbolism of prophetic Judeo-Christian heritage. Has formed basis for Western intellectual and spiritual existence.