The end of occupational therapy

Area of Science:

• Occupational therapy
• Philosophy of meaning
• Human performance studies

Background:

• Meaning-making is often viewed as a purely cognitive process.
• The role of human performance in expressing meaning is frequently overlooked.
• Existing definitions of occupation may not fully capture its role in meaning-making.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose that the ultimate goal of occupational therapy is to facilitate meaning-making through organized human performance (occupation).
• To challenge the notion that meaning is solely derived from cognitive processes and language.
• To establish a robust definition of occupation and highlight its therapeutic significance.

Main Methods:

• Philosophical inquiry into the nature of meaning and human performance.
• Analysis of existing literature in philosophy, psychology, and occupational therapy.
• Development and justification of a new definition of occupation.

Main Results:

• Human performance, termed occupation, is a fundamental way individuals create and express meaning.
• Occupational therapy's core purpose is intrinsically linked to facilitating this meaning-making process.
• A proposed definition of occupation emphasizes intentional, organized performance for self-maintenance and identity.

Conclusions:

• Occupational therapy should prioritize the role of human performance in meaning-making.
• Occupation, defined as intentional organized performance, is inherently therapeutic.
• The practice of occupational therapy should align with this understanding of occupation as a source of meaning.