The Problem of Purpose

by Jake Smith

Materialism’s Problem with Purpose

A materialistic worldview has a purpose problem. A conclusion from materialism is there is no purpose behind anything, as everything is an undirected natural process. Some people have tried to spin this problem as a positive feature in a worldview called optimistic nihilism.

Optimistic nihilism is a philosophical stance that attempts to reconcile the apparent meaninglessness of existence with a positive outlook on life. Optimistic nihilism represents an attempt to find positivity and hopes in a seemingly purposeless existence. While this perspective offers a unique way to cope with the harsh realities of life, it is essential to consider its potential pitfalls, such as intellectual complacency, moral relativism, short-sighted hedonism, and oversimplification of the human experience.

Optimistic nihilism seems like an encouraging way to make sense of a materialistic worldview that nothing truly has a purpose. However, a closer examination finds it short-sighted, selfish, and unfulfilling. Sure, you can tell yourself your purpose is something more honorable, like helping the poor and needy. The problem is there is no such thing as honorable, good, bad, or evil in a materialistic worldview, so it would ultimately have no real value. You would be just as valid to say your purpose is to kill all cute and cuddly animals. How, then, do we operate as a society of humans with no way to objectively measure the value of someone’s purpose?

Philosophy of Purpose

Purpose in philosophy can be rooted back to early philosophers Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle.

Socrates believed that the purpose of human life was to pursue wisdom, knowledge, and self-awareness. He emphasized the importance of introspection and self-examination, famously stating, "The unexamined life is not worth living." Socrates encouraged individuals to question their beliefs and seek truth through dialectical reasoning and critical thinking.

Plato posits that non-material abstract forms (or ideas) possess the highest and most fundamental kind of reality, transcending the physical world we perceive through our senses. According to this theory, the material world merely reflects or imitates the eternal, perfect, and unchangeable realm of Forms. The concept of Forms has a profound purpose in Plato's philosophy, as it serves as the foundation for understanding the nature of reality, knowledge, and ethics. In the realm of epistemology, or the study of knowledge, Plato argues that genuine knowledge can only be acquired by contemplating the eternal Forms rather than relying on our senses, which can deceive us.

Aristotle, a student of Plato, believed that the purpose of life was to achieve eudaimonia, often translated as happiness or flourishing. He argued that individuals should cultivate virtues such as wisdom, courage, and moderation to lead a balanced and fulfilling life.

These ancient philosophers lead us to the realization that purposes are more meaningful than the mere physical descriptions of objects. Materialism assumes that there is no ultimate purpose to anything. Everything is a series of exceptional naturalistic processes that coalesce into everything we know, love, experience, feel, and see. No matter how unlikely that outcome may be.

Science can tell us that a tree is a complex, multicellular, and photosynthetic organism belonging to the plant kingdom and is characterized by its woody structure, which consists of cellulose and lignin, providing strength and support for its growth. However, to ask what is the purpose of a tree is a complex question. You could say the purpose of a tree is related to its role in the oxygen so we have oxygen to breathe, but from a materialistic worldview, that is a happy accident that supports life on earth and not its purpose. To talk about something’s purposes is to say it was designed for those purposes.

Purpose Dependencies

As humans with minds, we design all kinds of things for specific purposes. We designed nails to hold wood together for even greater purposes like houses. However, in order to use a nail, we also needed to design a hammer. We end up with these complex purpose dependences as evidence of human minds designing solutions to solve problems. We see these same purpose dependences in nature, like the oxygen cycle between trees and animals. If we know minds design complex things for multi-layered purposes and we see that same pattern nature, it is easy to hypothesize a mind is responsible. This is one of the core ideas in Stephen Meyer’s book called “Return to The God Hypothesis.”

What is my Purpose?

Most people, at some point in their lives, ask, “What is my purpose?” And to an optimistic nihilist, the answer is I have no purpose, so I might as well make one up. However, this leads to many issues, including fostering moral relativism, which often downplays the importance of objective moral values. If nothing truly matters in the grand scheme of things, it can be impossible to establish a solid foundation for ethical behavior. It also leads to encouraging hedonism and instant gratification. Since it emphasizes the importance of seeking happiness in the present moment, it might inadvertently promote a short-sighted approach to life.

The alternative answer is to conclude that a creator carefully designed you (and everything else) for a purpose. The Bible provides a framework for understanding what that purpose is and gives guidance on how to accomplish that purpose. Of course, there are alternatives from other religions, but I find the Bible to have the most explanatory power. But that is a topic for future articles.