Continuing my recent critiques on the coach industrial complex and the self-help movement, I want to briefly muse today on a term commonly advocated by both: purpose, or more specifically, life purpose. I know many people haunted by not knowing their life’s purpose, seeking to discover it—or, expressed more skeptically, waiting around for it—before their life can truly begin.
The way purpose is used in these contexts is philosophically muddled, gesturing toward a sense of greatness rather than a sense of meaningfulness, subsequently serving as a constant source of shame. This notion of purpose becomes pornographic. We are constantly bombarded by images depicting people accomplishing great feats, which are alluded to as illustrations of someone fulfilling their life's purpose.
Influencers on social media further promote this notion, presenting themselves as “being on purpose.” This presentation creates what researchers call an “envy spiral,” an attentional arms race where people algorithmically compete to show off their best selves, resulting in resentment, self-loathing, and a slavish devotion to receiving the likes.
I never think about "my purpose," as it seems like something silly to think about. I say the less foolish ones should drop this purpose thing altogether. Sure, doing things that feel purposeful is a good heuristic to navigate life with, but needing to propositionally know what one's purpose is, as if it could be articulated on a cover letter, is a fool's errand.
The obsession with purpose is widespread in our image-centric society. It does not make us feel whole, nor does it serve the whole. Besides, living without a predefined purpose is far more adventurous.
One of my favourite aspects of my job is disabusing people of this notion of purpose porn. If you’d like to philosophically inquire with me on an on-going basis, sensing into what is truly purposeful, contact me at thestoa at protonmail dot com. Additionally, I'll be offering single-session inquiries throughout the year, which you can schedule through the link below. You can read more about my practice here or here.