Since the beginning of time, philosophers, new-age thinkers and religious types have spent most of their time pondering what to some may be a frivolous question that consumes time and brain power that would otherwise be devoted toward more fruitful concerns.

I beg to differ.

Recently, I decided I would ask a variety of people a question I often ask myself.

What is the purpose of life?

In total I asked about 20 people ranging from the age of seven to people in their 40s. Among a plethora of responses, there seem to be underlying themes given by people of different age groups.

First, I asked men and women of our generation who are attending Penn State, each coming from different walks of life and some coming from different countries.

In their responses there seem to be a common ground that happiness is part of the key, whether it be making others happy or being happy themselves. There was abundance, from mostly females, of answers that admitted it varied from person to person, that each person was put here for a different purpose. Males, on the other hand, stated that procreation was an important aspect, as well as furthering scientific and medical technologies and studies. Many answers seemed to be leaning toward not taking life to seriously and enjoying what time you had here.

The most important observation I made while inquiring upon my colleagues was in the manner that they responded.

Many seemed to not have given it a lot of thought. Not that they did not take my question seriously, but that they had never before pondered what it is we as individuals are here for.

Although age is a matter of perspective, and to some we may be considered youths, I then focused on articulating this question to a young person just beginning their formal education: my neighbor, a little boy named Duncan.

Duncan replied that he wanted to have a good life, a family and a nice house. Interesting enough Duncan said he wanted to get married. Though under the age of 10, Duncan had already understood what it was we as humans and as Americans are taught to strive for -- financial stability, moderate success symbols and, most importantly, love.

Though he may not have understood all that he had stated, he had covered almost everything that an average American wants, dreams and needs.

I think what amused me most about Duncan's answers was the irony behind them. Though people's responses were statements of what they each believed were the purpose of life, I felt as though few, if any, were actually out to pursue the true meaning answer, or at the very least fulfill that purpose. I felt as though Duncan's answer was my colleagues' reality.

I optimistically began to poll people that had a bit more experience on Earth, that perhaps their age had aided to their understanding, after all experience is knowledge, isn't it?

Though I found I did hold their answers in slightly more regard than I did people of my own age-- after all one is taught to respect their elders-- I found that I did not agree with nearly anyone I spoke with. The overwhelming abundant answer I received was to have an impact on future generations, and potentially creating an even better environment for those that will inherit the Earth after us.

I agree that procreation is needless to say, an ultimately important part of life, but I cannot believe that it is the single purpose of life itself.

I find happiness to not be a justifiable answer, probably because I am for the most part, an extremely happy person and would find it near insulting to have my purpose of being here something that takes no effort for me at all. Happiness is an innate quality for many people, how could that be our purpose?

Perhaps the most shocking aspect of my inquiry was that not one person mentioned god or a higher spiritual being. Perhaps I asked the wrong people, or even more possibly, people do not think of a god when they think of why they are here, other than he or she is how they got here. I, for one, agree with those that were polled. Why would a god put us on this earth just to praise him? Does this not seem egotistical?

I am certainly not stating that whatever god you believe in is egotistical; I am merely stating he would not expect us to live such a life. Personally, though perhaps just as egotistically, I believe the purpose of life, for lack of a better term, is to become enlightened. My goal of this, and every lifetime, is too understand both the happenings that we can see and that which we cannot and to guide others along that same journey. I believe that the people you meet and the things that happen; happen for a reason, and there is something to be learned from everything and everyone.