Some good posts in response but you know what, are they really about the purpose in life is for the individual? This sort of reminds me of saying rather glibbly that you are generous but does you cheque book back up your statement? The human race and people generally have a purpose, but the question for me is, what is my purpose in life? Is this like having a mission statement? A reason for being? What about a reason for living? If I just mentioned the "A" word you'd say, "get  a life".