What is the purpose of life?

There are those who would say the purpose of life is to do good.

But what does that mean? Do good for whom?

Do good for yourself

That's a good start, if you don't take care of yourself you can't do good for others.

There are however some who would stop there. Just take care of yourself and don't worry about others. Fortunately, such people are in a minority.

Do good for your family

Yes, that could be an important extension of the first point but it's not enough.

Do good for those who share your racial or ethnic or sexual identity

You can do better than that, and it should not matter whether you are a member of the dominant group or an oppressed group.

Do good for those who share your religious affiliation

Every religion likes to see itself as doing good. The problem is that every religion is an exclusive club.

Do good as defined by your professional association

This can be a powerful social tool, however, as with religion, the exclusive nature of this affiliation can be problematic in some situations.

Do good as defined politically

The purpose of government is to do what is best for everyone. Conflicting ideological differences make this extremely difficult. Defining that is good with a political yardstick is a continuing, unprofitable absurdity.

Do good as defined exclusively by nationalistic interests.

It is remarkable how this narrow, dangerous viewpoint has been overturned by those in both political parties who have joined together to support Ukraine. Extremists on the far left and on the far right continue to oppose large-scale support for Ukraine. The stability of this altruistic stance is threatened by growing extremism.

I believe however that we are inching forward, toward a future in which doing good for everyone regardless of wealth, sex, race, nationality or any other narrow classification will become the norm.

Some silly humor

What is the difference between Capitalism and Socialism?

In a Capitalist society, man exploits man and in a Socialist society, it is the other way round.