There are a number of things to consider. Finding accomplishment in life is something many struggle with.
Perhaps your friend would feel some accomplishment by:
* Mentoring new startups
* Mentoring disadvantaged youth
* Religion
* Community service/projects
* Becoming involved in local government service
* Horticulture
* Woodwork/old car restoration/old computer restoration
* Adopt an elderly neighbor as a "grandparent", that he goes and speaks with on a regular (at least weekly) basis
* Read the works of the greats, genre open
* Pick up painting or other artistic ventures
* Set a goal that's a lot of fun. For example, I know of a friend who has a life goal to hike each US state's highest peak or point. He's made it about 15 in, and has a lot left to go.
* Get involved with the local Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts program (related to mentoring), if Boy Scouts go through Woodbadge (extensive leadership training)
* Join a nonprofit board
Each of these points are kind of getting at a main point: live for something. Work and career are certainly intended to be a vocation, but they aren't always going to be an avocation. When avocation and vocation conflict, I believe a lot of people get dissatisfied.
Of course, I could also be completely wrong and a therapist is advisable. But it's something to consider.
Religion: How is a faith system i.e. "pretending to know things that you don't know" going to help? Community is a good thing, sure. But how does faith help?
Having spent most of my life in a very tight-knit, conservative religious group, I've found that it's the interaction between shared beliefs, shared values, frequent 'formal' and informal get-togethers, a sense of care for 'our own' and a sense of purpose (salt of the earth). And probably a bunch of other, less-obvious things.
About seven or eight years ago I lost my faith, and I have not found anything that quite replaces that. It's quite worthwhile, but obviously very difficult if 1) you don't actually believe what said group does, and 2) you actively dislike some of their beliefs (homophobia, etc.).
But even with all the bad stuff, I might one day join a church again.
Your definition of faith is incorrect. Faith in anything (religious or not) is merely choosing to believe in it without the necessary evidence or facts that would prove it to be true. "Pretending to know" implies something fairly different.
I'm not sure I would recommend religion to this person. But I wouldn't be surprised if his unhappiness comes from what he chooses to believe in some context.
I'm not arguing that this is the only nor optimal solution, certainly. Nor that he should adopt or adhere to something he doesn't believe. I mention this simply to note that many in the stage of life where they're discontent and are "soul-searching" find solace and meaning in religion.
Perhaps your friend would feel some accomplishment by:
* Mentoring new startups
* Mentoring disadvantaged youth
* Religion
* Community service/projects
* Becoming involved in local government service
* Horticulture
* Woodwork/old car restoration/old computer restoration
* Adopt an elderly neighbor as a "grandparent", that he goes and speaks with on a regular (at least weekly) basis
* Read the works of the greats, genre open
* Pick up painting or other artistic ventures
* Set a goal that's a lot of fun. For example, I know of a friend who has a life goal to hike each US state's highest peak or point. He's made it about 15 in, and has a lot left to go.
* Get involved with the local Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts program (related to mentoring), if Boy Scouts go through Woodbadge (extensive leadership training)
* Join a nonprofit board
Each of these points are kind of getting at a main point: live for something. Work and career are certainly intended to be a vocation, but they aren't always going to be an avocation. When avocation and vocation conflict, I believe a lot of people get dissatisfied.
Of course, I could also be completely wrong and a therapist is advisable. But it's something to consider.