Purpose? No idea what it is.

[Belacqua]

While I agree, there is a vast qualitative difference between a transcendent purpose and one that is contingent and limited.  Religion does have the edge in that department.

That's true! 

But it makes me wonder... why do people even want a transcendent purpose? Do people feel a lack if they don't imagine one?

Does the fact that I've never been religious account for the fact that I feel no need for transcendent purpose? 

Does asking a whole bunch of academic questions give me purpose?

---

I think too many people see themselves as special or important.

Yeah, that makes sense. Realism is important here. 

The reality is that we are no more special or have no more purpose than a cow or a sheep.

You know now that you mention it, cows and sheep are pretty amazing things. We have raccoon-dogs and badgers come to our veranda every night, and I find them kind of wonderful. 

Maybe that wonderfulness is autotelic?