Obtainable Purpose
On a dying planet among millions of people, a sense of purpose can prove difficult to harvest. A great majority of humankind believe their lives, and the existence of the universe, to be aimless without direction and entirely the result of scientific chance. We can never know how our world came into being, thus we can never know whether life on earth was created with a divine intention or is simply the spectacular effect of a natural cause. We can debate, however, whether we as individuals have a purpose, and if this purpose will impact the world around us in a positive or negative way. This section of thoughts is dedicated to the theory that humans do have a purpose, and subsequently, so does our universe. This theory will be referred to as obtainable purpose.
Firstly, let’s take a look at the definition of the terms for a clearer understanding:
Purpose: “a fixed design, outcome, or idea that is the object of an action or other effort”
Obtainable: “able to be obtained”
Obtainable purpose, therefore, means a desired outcome of an action which is able to be obtained.
Life Without Purpose
The absence of a fixed purpose can be viewed in both a negative and positive light. The idea of a purpose can feel daunting to many; a great burden which results in rebellion. Those who feel they have no purpose may become reckless, seeking hedonistic amusement, or suffer from an overwhelming feeling of worthlessness. Others may take this as a token to become carefree, living with a peace of mind that all their actions, even mistakes, will not impact a higher cause. Their quality of life may improve with such a humble outlook, but the boundary of the previous state described can easily be crossed. Life without purpose can be a dangerous path to tread if done so incorrectly.
Life With A Purpose
Purpose fuels power. The feeling of worth can work as an engine to drive the soul towards its objectives; creating a positive and fulfilled life full of goodness. When a person believes they have true value, they strive to excel in everything that they do, including goals both great and small. This positive outlook can be extremely beneficial to society as a whole. Instead of adopting the attitude of ‘nothing matters’, one starts to believe that everything matters, regardless of its significance. However, it is once again possible to become wayward with this view. One can become too distracted by goals and lose sight of overall enjoyment. Or, they believe that everybody else should feel the same, and behave too headstrong and argumentative. There needs to be a balance.
A. Shows someone who lives in spiritual discontent and doesn’t see any purpose in nature.
B. Shows someone who lives in spiritual contentment and nurtures nature from a positive outlook, promoting growth of our planet.
Subjective Purpose
How can we possibly establish our purpose if we cannot know the reality of our very existence? The answer is simple, this purpose must be individual, unique and subjective. Our purpose must be a reflection personal to us, and not something which is predestined and thus impossible to know. Something that we ourselves can shape. If this purpose is obtainable, then it is something which we can all access.
The topic of the purpose, however, remains universal and objective in comparison. We just all have our own paths to follow in order to reach a shared ultimate goal, and that goal is spiritual contentment. The following diagram simplifies this idea:
We are all aiming for spiritual contentment, which is our purpose here on earth. This purpose in return feeds our spiritual contentment. Although, how we get there is determined by us and it is different depending on the individual’s beliefs.
Spiritual Contentment
Let’s explore the definitions of these two terms to establish an understanding of what they mean in accordance to this idea:
Spiritual: Relating to the human soul
Contentment: Peaceful happiness/ the state of being content. In this study, content refers to a long term branch of happiness, not to be confused with the short term state of extreme happiness.
Therefore, spiritual contentment = the happiness of the human soul
But how can we achieve this? We have already stated that this is the key to every human’s purpose, but how do we find our purpose? I have already mentioned that all of our paths are different with respect to our beliefs - but what do these beliefs entail?
The answer returns us to the baffling mystery of our universe. In order to feel content, we must go on a mental journey to configure what we believe about it’s creation and complex, scientific functions. Our objective is to spend the entirety of our lives exploring what we believe as individuals in regards to our world. Some may turn to religion, some to science, others to both. Many turn to atheism, agnosticism, theism, and further beliefs including pantheism, monotheism and deism. If we dedicate time to studying theology, we have a greater knowledge of which we belong to, that is, if we do. It is not necessary to follow an established belief, but just to simply follow your own.
A huge factor which contributes to immoral human behaviour stems from the negativity many perceive around them every day. People feel dissatisfied with our world; they grow careless and are unable to see any beauty, only anger and pain. They do not explore nor try to satisfy their own spirituality. Instead of digging beneath the surface of a glimmer of thought, they shun the idea and disregard their mind’s desires for contentment - some even claiming that are not intelligent to consider a worldly purpose, which is more than unfortunate. Everyone has the capability to decide on what they believe to be the earth’s/humankind’s purpose. All they need is to allow their mind to grow.
A few days or years can pass before we become certain of what we believe. Those who turn to religion may find their path a little easier through being part of a group, whereas others tread a winding path, full of confusion. But we may question how we are supposed to feel spiritually content when it can take us forever, or perhaps not even at all, to figure out our own beliefs. The answer to this is a basis of beliefs. For example, one may decide that they believe in God, but are unsure where to direct this belief. The feeling of a powerful force external to our world is perceived in an incredible spectrum of ways, but the individual must focus on what personally appeals to them, for this decision will influence their entire life. Is God a creator, a judge, is He still active within our Universe, is He apparent in science, or nature? There are many possibilities. However, one can obtain a good wholesome purpose just through the basis of their beliefs, and spend their life shaping, crafting and growing this wonderful notion.
It must be noted that spiritual contentment, as already expressed, it’s not about deciding whether or not you believe in God, it’s about choosing your own view about the existence of humanity and following this belief as it impacts the life choices you make around you.
But how do we know when our soul is content? How do we know when we’ve figured out our purpose?
The Benefits of Obtainable Purpose
In accordance to this view, our purpose is to think about the Universe and to study our own philosophy during our time alive on this planet. With only a basis of what we believe, we can start our spiritual hypothesis and gather the relevant answers until we feel content. The benefits of fulfilling our purpose are simple - a positive, wholesome and happy life. In order to claim that we have reached contentment, however, we must set standards to allow us to know whether we are on the correct path. If someone is not content with their beliefs, they are usually:
Dissatisfied: They have decided their views far too quick and have chosen to no longer develop them. This leads to a closed basis of beliefs where the person cannot grow nor strengthen spiritually.
Reject Opposition: They refuse to listen to the views of others and are unable to accept that people have developed their own views based on different experiences. They often become stubborn.
Argumentative: It’s impossible to discuss your own beliefs with discontented people without them feeling irritable, and in the most unfortunate of cases, they respond with remarks of derision.
These people, however, should not be frowned upon. Instead they should be pitied, and any attempt they show to explore their beliefs and free themselves from the shackles of obstinacy should be guided and nourished.
In comparison, those who have established the basis of their beliefs and are building towards spiritual contentment are usually:
Wholesome: They live happy and fulfilled lives in harmony with everyone else's views. They aim for higher goals and feel enthusiasm to complete them for they feel that their lives have value.
Welcome Opposition: They understand that listening to opposition can either strengthen or weaken their own beliefs. In the case of strengthening, a healthy debate can fortify one’s purpose and allow them to develop their own spiritual path.
Accepting: They realise that we can never fully know the truth about our existence on a universal scale, and that their own beliefs are a perfect aim to live how they perceive to be true. They adopt a Socratic wisdom; knowing that the wisest people admit that they know nothing.
Philosophy: They question the matter of existence, nature, knowledge, mind, reasons and values, thus partaking in a one of the most excelled intellects accessible to man - that of the dialectic.
“The comprehensive mind is always the dialectical"
- Socrates, Plato’s Allegory of the Cave
The Function of Purpose
We have discussed how having the purpose of becoming content aids our own positivity. It is easy to see how this can also impact the positivity of our world in general. If a large majority of the people alive on earth all strive for their own happiness in accordance to good morals, then their actions in general aspire to good rather than bad. However, some religious groups do aim towards destruction rather than peace. It should be noted that these people, although how much they are deluded into believing that taking innocent lives is the answer, can never be content. Here, the obtainable purpose has become corrupted, and these groups are further away from a healthy, functioning soul than those who do not practice the exploration of their beliefs. Any believe which results in the loss or taint of human life can never be considered to abide by spiritual contentment.
Good views, on the other hand, result in neighbourly acceptance. For example, atheists and theists can live in harmony, using their opposing beliefs to fuel tranquil debates, helping them further their own journey. Those who have a clear understanding of their own perceptions, whether they achieved their goal empirically or rationally, will strive in all worldly objectives.
Spiritual contentment so far has been described as having a positive mental impact. But if the soul is fully content, physical influences can also occur. If we recall the first diagram of the contented and discontented souls, we can see how the value of purpose encourages humankind to care and tend for their planet, for they reject the purposeless attitude.
Upcoming Discussion
My next few journal posts will be a three part explanation of Plato’s Cave Allegory. Plato discusses, through the characters of Socrates and Glaucon, his owns views on how we should live, and how the perfect State should be governed with respect to the importance of Philosophy and it’s benefits on the soul. He also touches on other studies which he believes creates the perfect student, including arithmetic and geometry.
Another interesting read relating to this topic is a previous post on Aristotle’s ethics surrounding the goal of life. You can access that post here.
A Summary
What is Obtainable Purpose?
The view that all humans have an individual purpose that can be obtained.
What is this ‘purpose’?
Our purpose is to establish what our beliefs are regarding the presence of our Universe and how this will impact our behaviour and life choices. Then we can become content.
How can we achieve it?
Through the path of spiritual contentment. Once we have discovered our true beliefs, we can live life with a clearer piece of mind.
How long can it take?
There is no allocated time. One may figure out their beliefs in a few weeks, or spend their entire life deciding. The purpose can be crafted and adapted across time once the initial stones are set, for these matters take careful thought and require plenty of time.