Does Man have a Purpose

The Judeo-religious approach
According to Judaism, as expressed in the Pentateuch in "Genesis", the universe and all it encompasses were created by God; Man, as part of this universe, has a purpose.

Authoritative circles opined that man's purpose is to glorify the Creator and to remind Him of His exalted qualities. This unique approach belongs to Rabbi Saadia Ben Yosef, a renowned figure in the world of religious thought, from the middle ages. Unfortunately, it is difficult to accept this man's purpose, if only due to the following reasons:

A parent does not bring children into the world, raise and prepare them for independent life, mainly to remind him of his exalted qualities. It is thereby trivially inferred that the infinite intelligence known as God does not do so. Therefore, this activity cannot be man's purpose. Rabbi Moshe Ben Maymon, the middle-ages' great Jewish philosopher and Jewish law adjudicator, was of the same opinion.

The philosophical approach
Since the universe is based on logical laws, as proved in the introduction, it is impossible that the infinite intelligence would create something without an important basic reason, namely, with no divine purpose. How true this must be as regards man; that most wondrous creation born in God's own image. 

The obvious conclusion is apparently, that God destined us with a suitable purpose and striving to actualize it will cause us to develop and experience a full and happy life.

Relevant literature describes man as an "actor", whose principle role is the successive attainment of goals. We are all familiar with the frustration felt when we are unsuccessful in attaining them. These are, indeed, short term goals, but in joining them to each other, we will recognize the path of our progression.

Man's purpose, according to the philosophical approach
The book's Self esteem chapter proved that we continuously spiritually improve, and thereby proceed towards God's ability or, in other words, towards infinite progress. Is this progression itself man's purpose or at least part of it? It seems to be so.

Why did God create a creature as sophisticated as man
Apparently, in order to actualize a unique activity. This activity must suit our capacity for infinite progress and perhaps even activate and develop it. In order to carry out this activity, suitable qualities and capabilities must be instilled within us.

The book's and the web side's Self esteem chapter, concluded that by our nature, we are one level below the Creator's, which is to say, we are secondary to the Divine. It can be supposed that this status provides us the ability to carry out activities similar to God's. Is that, in fact, man's purpose? Namely, to be a type of deputy creator? Not only is this role feasible due to the status God bestowed on man and not only do the tools given to man serve this role, but also, as we shall see further on, this role is tightly connected to what actually happens.

But man's current ability is far from resembling God's. If so, how may man's purpose be realized? Its realization could occur through man's current level of functioning.
In short, man's purpose or essence is to be a deputy creator in his current level of functioning along the path of his march towards infinite progress.

Further proof, that man is capable of carrying out activity similar to that of God.
In the Pentateuch, especially in "Deuteronomy", God frequently requests us to "walk in His ways". It can be supposed that this regards activity, which is similar to that of the Divine. As we have proved, it is inconceivable that God would ask man to do anything without a serious and essential reason nor without being sure that man is capable of it. God's request that to walk in His paths points to this capacity.

Man's purpose performed by the deputy creator
If the universe is in continuous development since its day of creation, it is logical to suppose that man's purpose at hand, is in the realm of development namely, to complete creation. We should not forget that in order for this purpose to be efficient, whatever exists should first of all be preserved. It can therefore be said in principle that man's purpose will focus on the maintenance and development of the primary creation. It may include activities, such as the following:

To initiate, encourage and carry out the maintenance and development of that which exists.
To improve man's spiritual capabilities and bring them to a continuously, proper function.
To create the means and the knowledge, required for this development.
To bring the development to its continual realization and to supervise it.

In principle, it regards bringing "true Good" into expression– this term will be elucidated in the book's section "Man's purpose – the realization of true Good". Therefore:
Earth's preservation , along with all its components and its development – is an act of secondary creation.
Improving living conditions in general and mankind's in particular – is an act of secondary creation.
Research and development in any positive field and their actualization – is an act of secondary creation.
Assisting the other in any area in which it is required – is an act of secondary creation. Improving man's spiritual capabilities – is an act of secondary creation.

Improving living conditions in general and mankind's in particular – is an act of secondary creation.
Creating a new and improved generation, which would successfully take on the challenges of the future – is an act of secondary creation.

Creating a loving and compassionate human society that esteems the other – is an act of secondary creation.
Bringing about man's realization of what has been said here – is also an act of secondary creation.

Better utilizing the potential of creation
One of the roles of man's purpose is to bring about a better and more efficient utilization of creation's potential. Namely, to be some form of landlords; taking care of everything.
How would the Earth look if man had not existed, nor any other creature possessing a similar creative capability? The answer is self evident: A wild, neglected place, similar to any place bereft of caretaker or supervising landlord.

 It is therefore understood and accepted that such a role is essential. We are aware that mankind contributed to a dramatic rise in the utilization of creation's potential on Earth, but we are also aware that he has caused Earth great harm. It should be noted that we received Earth in a condition, which constitutes an ample testing ground for development and for gaining experience as secondary creators.

Man's purpose role - further implications
This role places great responsibility upon us, but also rewards us with the experiencing of real life, including the grand privilege of being partners, even if very minor ones, in the development of God's creation.

We witness the existence of a marvelous two issues natural-resonance cycle, comprising man's purpose, which we elucidated:
Striding towards infinite progress
Actualizing his divine role along this path
These purposes complement and advance each other and are accompanied by wondrous remunerations throughout our progression.

Summary: The cause for creating man in his current form is to fulfill an important and vital role of secondary creator, on all levels, in all shades of life, in all of God's creation and not only on Earth. The proper fulfillment of this role is the most efficient and perhaps the only solution that can minimize the terrible dangers confronting humanity today. This is also the most efficient method for fully developing man's capacities. Without this role, there would be no motive for creating such a sophisticated creature. This is why this role is man's purpose, with all other purposes and means coming only to serve it.

Humanity stands today before interplanetary flights for investigating the universe, which will begin with the study of the solar system and will also expand beyond it. A reasonable possibility exists that we will discover life, more or less similar to life on Earth. Man's purpose and role as deputy creator will be given a dramatic push forwards. Humanity will stand before challenges of which it has no experience, but, as the creation born in God's own image, it will surely succeed in these wondrous missions as well. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that we prepare ourselves today for tomorrow's dramatic tests.