Purpose In Life? Mission Statement?

Imagine that a neighbor tells you that there's a diamond buried in her backyard that's the size of a refrigerator. And when you ask her why she believes this she says things like:

a.)My mission and my purpose come from my belief that there's a diamond buried in my backyard that's the size of a refrigerator.

b.) I can't imagine life without a diamond buried in my backyard that's the size of a refrigerator.

Are any of these statements adequate enough to convince you that she's right?

You're talking about a whole different concept...what is a right (what kind of right, by the way? morally? rationally?) reason/source for a person's mission or purpose in life. I would personally agree that a life purpose should at least be justified with a huge amount of philosophical thinking... But: is it not enough for a person to have a driving belief that they are living their life the best way they can/that they are doing everything as a human being that they should be doing? If not, why not? If a person is happier and more satisfied and fulfilled getting their purpose from an external source, existing or not, then why shouldn't they? I personally think those people in life who have faith-driven purposes are more fulfilled on a daily basis. Perhaps they are just as right living that way as another is taking their purpose from scientific or other intellectual pursuits...

I think (and have thought extensively that) this question has more ways to approach it than perhaps any other. It depends on what type of being you think a human being is, whether "purpose" is a definable term or not, and, among other things, and whether or not you think the answer must be supported by a sound argument.

Imagine that a neighbor tells you that there's a diamond buried in her backyard that's the size of a refrigerator. And when you ask her why she believes this she says things like:

a.)My mission and my purpose come from my belief that there's a diamond buried in my backyard that's the size of a refrigerator.

b.) I can't imagine life without a diamond buried in my backyard that's the size of a refrigerator.

Are any of these statements adequate enough to convince you that she's right?

I agree that we spend too little time on focused thought. I agree that we escape these thoughts through food, tv, etc. In that respect they offer the same effect as drugs.

But my question before your reply was 'how do we know we're really acting for ourselves and not just looking for others' approval'?