Philosophy Can Help Us Find Our Purpose
Amna, a high school graduate from a small city in Pakistan, describes herself as “a certified misfit who never really fit into the system.” She loves watching documentaries and having deep, random conversations about life, exploring the “whys” behind everything.
I didn’t always think about purpose. For most of my school years, life was about studies, friends, and routines. The idea of “purpose” barely crossed my mind, until I got my first cell phone in 9th grade.
With access to digital media, I began exploring ideas and conversations I’d never heard before. In 10th grade, I came across a post about “life’s purpose.” At first, I ignored it. But it kept appearing, and the question “What is my purpose?” started haunting me.
I did a small survey of my own while writing this blog. I asked my family and friends about their purpose. Some said they’d respond later but never did. Others tried explaining but quickly realized they’d never really thought about it. A few directly said, “I don’t know,” while some simply repeated what they’d heard from others. I searched online, scrolling through countless answers, but everything felt too shallow or abstract.
One day, my friends and I brought up the question in our (Urdu) language class. Our teacher wasn’t the kind to shy away from deep conversations. He often spoke about the brutal truths of society and the complexities of life, encouraging us to ask tough questions, something rarely done in schools or the real world. After a long discussion, his conclusion stayed with me: “Our purpose is to serve humanity and God.” It wasn’t a final answer, but it gave me direction.
It also struck me as strange that most people never stop to ask why they even exist. When I began reading about philosophy, I often heard comments like, “Philosophy is just gibberish,” or “It’s written by lunatics who had nothing to do.” At first, that discouraged me. But deep down, I felt there had to be more. If these thinkers were truly irrelevant, why had their ideas survived for centuries?
In 12th grade, something changed. Though I had studied Allama Iqbal since childhood, that year I truly discovered him. Reading about him felt like meeting a guide I’d been waiting for. His poetry and philosophy spoke directly to the questions I was wrestling with about fear, freedom, and purpose.
Iqbal’s idea of philosophy was rooted in awakening the self and finding freedom within. For him, true liberation wasn’t just political, it began in the soul. He urged people to discover their inner strength and let the world benefit from it. That idea still feels deeply relevant today, when so many of us have lost touch with our selfhood and independence of thought.
I think I developed such an affinity for him because his words felt like they were speaking to me. When I felt uncertain or trapped by the expectations around me, Iqbal’s poetry reminded me that purpose is not about obeying or fitting in, it’s about becoming who you truly are and serving something greater than yourself.
That connection deepened when I read these lines from Allama Iqbal: “Raise your selfhood so high that before every destiny, God himself will ask you what you desire.” These words moved me in a way I can’t fully describe. They made me realize that purpose isn’t something handed to us, it’s something we build by strengthening our character, faith, and will. Iqbal’s concept of selfhood wasn’t about pride; it was about self-discovery and inner freedom. He didn’t just talk about freedom from rulers; he talked about freedom from fear, from dependency, from living someone else’s idea of life. His words pushed me to think, to question, and to seek.
Inspired by Iqbal, I started exploring other thinkers. Rumi’s spiritual depth, Nietzsche’s challenge to “become who you are,” and Socrates’ relentless questioning all reshaped my understanding of what purpose could mean.
The more I read, the more I realized philosophy wasn’t some old subject confined to books, it was a living conversation that could guide me in real life. The more I explored, the more I found myself in awe of how philosophy dares to question systems built on blind obedience and passive respect.
Some of my best moments came from long debates with friends about these questions. We didn’t always find answers, but those conversations reminded me that searching together matters as much as finding clarity. Still, I couldn’t find as strong a guide or inspiration in daily life as I found in these thinkers.
I haven’t “found” my ultimate purpose yet, and maybe that’s the point. I feel like my journey is only beginning. But one thing has become clear: purpose isn’t just about me or my desires. A meaningful life is tied to serving others, contributing to society, and aligning with values that go beyond selfish goals.
And maybe that’s where our generation has stumbled. In the constant noise of social media, comparisons, and pressure, we’ve started looking for purpose in likes, fame, or quick success. But philosophy reminds us that purpose is bigger, deeper, and more connected to humanity.
It challenges us to look inward and outward at once to know ourselves, but also to serve beyond ourselves. It gives us courage not by handing out answers, but by teaching us to ask better questions.
So, have we lost our purpose? Maybe not. Maybe it’s just buried under distractions and fear. Philosophy helps us uncover it again; gently, persistently by reminding us to think, question, and grow.
My journey has just begun. I don’t know where it will lead, but I do know that asking these questions and walking this path is already changing me. Perhaps that’s what matters most, not having the perfect answer, but having the courage to keep searching.
Such a well written piece