The Mattering Instinct: Why Humans Need Purpose and How to Find It

What is the most unique thing about human beings? According to philosopher and author Rebecca Newberger Goldstein, it’s our deep-seated need to matter. Her novel book, The Mattering Instinct, explores this fundamental drive and its profound impact on our lives, relationships, and society.

The Evolutionary Roots of Mattering

Goldstein’s exploration begins with a seemingly unrelated concept: the second law of thermodynamics, which states that systems naturally tend toward disorder (entropy). All living organisms expend energy to resist this entropy and maintain order. However, humans uniquely possess the capacity for self-reflection, leading to a crucial question: why do we devote so much attention to our own survival and flourishing, and how do we justify that focus?

This internal questioning, Goldstein argues, gave rise to the “mattering instinct”—the inherent drive to find a “mattering project” that imbues life with purpose and worth. It’s not simply about survival; it’s about justifying our existence in the face of an indifferent universe.

Four Paths to Mattering

Goldstein identifies four primary ways people strive to matter:

• Transcenders: Those who find meaning through a connection to a transcendent force, such as God or a spiritual belief system.
• Socializers: Individuals who derive purpose from helping and connecting with others.
• Heroic Strivers: People who dedicate themselves to achieving excellence in a chosen field—intellectual, artistic, athletic, or moral.
• Competitors: Those who seek to matter by surpassing others and achieving status or dominance.

Mattering in the Age of AI

The rise of artificial intelligence and automation raises concerns about job displacement and the potential loss of purpose for many. Goldstein suggests that understanding the mattering instinct can be a valuable tool for navigating this changing landscape. By identifying our primary “island of mattering” – the core source of our purpose – we can explore alternative avenues for fulfillment, even if our current operate becomes obsolete.

Goldstein believes that even if AI takes over certain tasks, the deepest questions and the need for ethical considerations will remain uniquely human. “What I’m thinking in my most optimistic moments is that the deepest questions, they’re still going to belong to us,” she states.

The Connection to Human Dignity

Goldstein connects the mattering instinct to the concept of human dignity. She argues that our inherent need to justify our existence—to prove that we matter—is a dignified and even noble characteristic. This drive isn’t a weakness but a testament to our self-awareness and our desire for meaning.

She posits that even in the face of job displacement due to AI, humans will find new ways to fulfill their need to matter, avoiding what she describes as “death within life,” which can result from a lack of purpose.

Finding Your Mattering Project

Goldstein emphasizes that there is no single “right” way to matter. The key is to identify what resonates with your individual temperament, passions, and interests. She cautions against imposing a sense of purpose on others, recognizing that the search for meaning is a deeply personal journey.

As Goldstein reflects, the struggle to find meaning may be inherent to the human condition, but it is precisely this struggle that makes us human and worthy of respect.

Sources:

• Rebecca Goldstein – The Mattering Instinct
• The Atlantic – Happiness Isn’t the Key to a Excellent Life
• The New York Times – Book Review: ‘The Mattering Instinct,’ by Rebecca Newberger Goldstein
• PassionStruck – Mattering Instinct: Rebecca Goldstein Interview