I find this question fascinating and ask it often.
Do we ask it because there is something, deep within our DNA, that prompts it, or do we simply ask it because we fear that society expects it of us?
I've recently looked at things like cars, mobile phones, roads, etc and asked what their purpose is.
We make things with a purpose in mind. Cars to get from A to B quicker, mobile phones to communicate over land and time rapidly and roads which enable cars to do what they do.
Whether you believe in God, a god, gods or nothing, we were made by our parents in a sense. There was a time we were not and then they performed an action which resulted in us being made.
Maybe this is why we ask the question?