Value orientations and life purposes of the digital generation representatives as exemplified by the students of a pedagogical university: a socio-axiological aspect of the study

Abstract

Introduction. In socio-philosophical research, the study of the value-semantic sphere of the digital generation is becoming more relevant. In the article, the author conducts a theoretical analysis of the literature, reveals the ideas of modern scien- tists about the digital generation. In the empirical part of his research, the author reveals the life meanings and value orientations of today’s youth. The purpose of the article is to study life meanings and value orientations of modern youth. Methods. The study uses a comparative analysis of scientific literature, using the questionnaire “On the meaning of life” by V.E. Chudnovsky and the ques- tionnaire “Value Orientations” by M. Rokeach. The scientific novelty of the research. The work focuses on the digital generation’s ideas about the meaning of life. The digital generation associates the meaning of life with the vivid living of the pre- sent, since the existing social environment does not give them the opportunity for long-term planning. That is why they have a hedonistic attitude to life. Thus, the process of self-actualization prevails over self-transcendence. Results. The studies indicate that representatives of the digital generation see the meaning of life in achieving personal happiness, in freedom and maintaining individuality and self-realization. The most important values for young people, which determine their value orientations, are health, love, creativity, social recognition, material well-being, and pleasure. Conclusions. In the value sphere of the digital generation, one can detect the absence of clear long-term guidelines due to the continuous changes taking place in the social environment. The uncertainty of social and economic conditions causes difficulties in planning the life of today’s youth; however, the digital generation is concerned about the search for the meaning of life and value orientations. Although a hedonistic attitude to life prevails among young people, there is a desire to form a new qualitative level of altruism, where common interests do not contradict the interests of the individual.