Even though we don’t have all the answers, we have a purpose a timeless assertion that transcends the limitations of human knowledge and speaks to the essence of our existence. It is a statement steeped in both humility and conviction, a recognition that while the vastness of the unknown may stretch beyond our grasp, purpose anchors us, giving meaning to our steps even when the path ahead remains shrouded in ambiguity. This balance between uncertainty and resolve has defined civilizations, shaped ideologies, and propelled individuals and societies through the evolving currents of history.
From a psychological perspective, purpose functions as the central axis around which human motivation and resilience revolve. Viktor Frankl, in his seminal work Man’s Search for Meaning, argued that those who endure suffering and chaos do so not because they possess absolute answers, but because they cling to a deeper sense of purpose. Neuroscience reinforces this by illustrating how a clear sense of purpose stimulates the brain’s reward system, fostering persistence, creativity, and emotional stability. In today’s hyper-modern world, where information overload often blurs the line between truth and distortion, purpose becomes the compass that prevents disillusionment and existential drift.
Traditionally, cultures across the globe have embedded this understanding into their collective wisdom. African proverbs caution that “a river that forgets its source will soon run dry,” emphasizing that purpose—rooted in heritage—ensures continuity even when immediate solutions are elusive. Eastern philosophies echo this sentiment; Confucian thought stresses that “the man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones,” reinforcing the idea that incremental action driven by purpose outweighs the paralysis of seeking definitive answers. The old guards, those who upheld legacy institutions and rigid hierarchies, often sought to codify knowledge into static doctrines, believing that governance, economy, and progress could be dictated by absolute answers. But postmodernism dismantles this assumption, revealing that knowledge is fragmented, fluid, and often constructed. The late French philosopher Jean-François Lyotard warned against “grand narratives,” arguing that societies should embrace uncertainty rather than fear it.
Economically, the weight of this statement is profound. The 20th-century Keynesian model sought to answer all economic dilemmas through structured interventions, while Milton Friedman’s neoliberal vision argued for market self-regulation. Both schools, despite their authoritative tones, have faced failures, proving that the economy—like life—is dynamic, resistant to finality, and perpetually subject to forces beyond human prediction. Today, as industries shift from traditional labor models to automation and artificial intelligence, workers face a crisis of identity. The notion that we may never possess all the answers is unsettling, but purpose remains a safeguard against irrelevance. Those who redefine their professional trajectories with purpose-driven adaptability will not merely survive economic upheaval but thrive within it.
Politically, this aphorism serves as both a critique and a call to action. The ideological battlegrounds of governance are often framed around claims of possessing the “right” answers—whether through democracy, socialism, or authoritarianism. Yet history is a graveyard of failed absolutes. Rome’s fall, the collapse of colonial empires, the rise and disillusionment of communist states—all remind us that governance must evolve with purpose rather than be shackled by rigid dogma. In the postmodern world, where political fragmentation and information warfare threaten societal cohesion, leaders who acknowledge uncertainty yet chart a purposeful course—balancing realism with idealism—stand a greater chance of inspiring unity rather than division.
In all human endeavors, from art to science, innovation is born not from possessing all the answers but from an unyielding commitment to purpose. The Renaissance, the Age of Enlightenment, and the Digital Revolution all stemmed from humanity’s relentless pursuit of meaning in the absence of certainty. Today, as the metaverse blurs the lines between reality and virtual existence, and as biotechnology redefines human capabilities, the question is not whether we have all the answers but whether we have the purpose to wield these transformations for collective good.
Thus, the saying, “Even though we don’t have all the answers, we have a purpose,” is not merely a reflection of our limitations but an affirmation of our greatest strength. In uncertainty, we find movement. In movement, we find evolution. And in purpose, we find the resilience to endure, create, and ultimately shape a world that—though never fully understood—can always be meaningfully lived.
By: Jide Adesina
Research for 1st Afrika
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