Let’s say you are here in the world for a purpose. You can’t “just be.”
But whose purpose? Some would say “there is a creator who had a reason for creating me.” But what if you don’t believe in a creator? Then what makes you what you are?
If you answer: I am here to procreate, that just postpones the question. Why procreate? So that your descendants can also ask the question “Why am I here?” We are back full circle.
Does everything have to have a purpose? What is the purpose of music, dance or art?
We are all members of a society. Each one of us participates in some function of that society. Often the society works to improve the welfare of its members by helping with jobs, family life or personal development.
We have skills we can use on behalf of this community. Here is a purpose we can reflect on. Is this society better off than when you entered it? If you can say “I leave this world in a little better shape than when I arrived,” perhaps that is justification enough for your existence.
I’ve thought about this question a lot, and I came to decide that my purpose is to increase happiness for the greatest number of people by the greatest amount, and, critically, to include myself on the list of people. I will not martyr myself for the happiness of others, but I happily do many things that make me happier, by making others happier!
I don’t know if I’m right or wrong, but I feel happy about this idea, so that fits my theory, and off I go!
It is interesting to read The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren from a secular world view. It isn’t impossible and can provide a framework for a secular life lacking belief in a creator. Can also lead a secular person to belief in a creator – of some type.