The Moral Vision
Man’s True Purpose in Life
~ 132 ~
MAN’S TRUE PURPOSE IN LIFE
Man attains his highest distinction only when he
leads a purposeful life. Such a life characterises the
most advanced stage of human development. This
does not mean that by taking up just any task which
is apparently significant man’s life becomes truly
purposeful. A really purposeful life is one in which
man discovers his supreme status; a life in which
his personality makes manifest its unique
distinctive quality. An animal strives to obtain food;
a bird flies in search of a better country when the
seasons change; a wasp busies itself building up its
own home from tiny particles of earth; a herd of
deer takes measures to protect itself from wild
beasts of prey. All of these appear to be purposeful
actions. But when the phrase ‘a purposeful life’ is
applied to man, then it does not refer to efforts of
this nature. Without doubt arranging for one’s food,
clothes and habitation are some of the tasks that
man has to perform in this world; but this is a level
of purposefulness in which men and animals, being
concerned only with bare survival, are equal. Its
true application in relation to man can only be one
in which he appears in all his dignity. Man’s life
