We Were Sold PURPOSE. But What About VALUE?

What’s the point of doing what we do? What’s the point of our existence? If you are asking yourself these questions, you are not alone. Great philosophers have pondered these questions for hundreds of years.

Some, to answer these existential questions, have come up with a fascination with purpose. But what if pursuing our purpose leads us to isolation and meaninglessness? Just what if. What if the pursuit of purpose isolates those around us? What if our purpose belittles others, leads to groupthink, and destroys human life? Are we still serving purpose?  Think of all the religions of the world and the people serving the purpose of advancing their religion. Could purpose be destructive?

We must examine purpose in view of how it serves others. We often hear that a “purpose-driven life” is the pinnacle of a meaningful existence. But what if we could pursue purpose and fail to deliver real value to those around us? Purpose is important, but it's not enough. Value-driven living creates solutions for others and puts practical solutions above ideals.

Imagine an artist, let’s call him John. John is very passionate about art and has spent years perfecting his craft. But if his artisanship doesn’t solve a tangible need, it is isolated from society and only helps him. John might feel fulfilled, living on purpose and practicing his passion, but if he is not delivering value for anyone around him, he is happy but isolated. However, a value-driven artist would focus on how their art could educate, inspire, or heal others.

You probably have heard of the popularized book, “The Purpose-Driven Life,” which has helped millions of people to seek meaning and purpose. That’s all great, but purpose without value can become a self-centered pursuit. The biblical call to action isn’t about personal fulfillment alone.  It’s about love and meeting the needs of others. Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35), which puts more emphasis on impactful living and less on individual achievement. The question, then, is not just about finding purpose but creating value through purpose. When we miss this, we miss the very reason why we are here.

Philosophers have long argued the case for purpose and action. Aristotle argued that “eudaimonia” (flourishing) is the highest aim of human life, but it is a communal and relational flourishing, not just personal success. Flourishing is about acting well in society with others, guided by reason, and virtuously using our human capacities to pursue the good. And when we do this, we can be said to be happy and flourishing. The Stoics similarly valued contributing to the greater good, emphasizing that true worth comes from actions that positively affect others. French existentialist Jean-Paul Sartre suggested that true freedom is found in action and impact, where we extend beyond ourselves to make a difference in the world. Our freedom is realized only in its actions and is nothing without such action.  In this light, a value-driven life aligns purpose with a practical contribution to meeting human needs.

How does value rather than purpose help businesses to flourish? I argue that businesses, too, flourish more through value than purpose. A purpose-driven company may aim to be the best in its field, fulfill its vision, and outdo competitors. However, a value-driven company is motivated to solve real-world problems and create a product or service that tangibly benefits customers. Companies like Amazon and Apple have succeeded not just because they had a purpose but because they focused on delivering exceptional value to their customers, adapting to meet needs with innovative solutions. A value-driven business grows faster and more sustainably because it prioritizes others’ needs over self-centered goals.

A value-driven life and a value-driven business align purpose with the well-being of others. When we are driven by value rather than purpose, we shift from an inward focus to an outward impact. To live a value-driven life is to be focused on meeting the needs of those around us, which, in return, productively fulfills our purpose.