The sole purpose to life is finding genuine happiness. Our quest for happiness compels all our actions (or inactions), it the rationale behind our interactions with other individuals.

Life come with a ever torturing, ever present pain always grinding humans down, thus there's a ever present desire in our heart to seek pleasure, to rid ourselves of this excruciating pain.

The only reason we get up in the morning and grind away at our job is to avoid the pain of hunger. The only reason we seek companionship is to find those who will prod us up during our most difficult times.

It's the same reason some people spend their life whole in the pipe or drink their way to the bottom of the bottle.

People don't commit suicide for the sole reason of being tired of life, rather, they do so alleviate the pain they feel.

It's no surprise that this concept of pain and happiness are built into the underpinning of religion.

Buddhism puts that a suffering continues over many lifetimes of reincarnation. And a person will only break free of this cycle when he ceases his negative craving.

And lead a virtuous life, reaching nirvana — a state where he cease to suffer.

Hinduism holds that pain are consequences of a person's actions, either in his present existence or past ones. A person can reach a release — moksha — by detaching himself from materialistic urges.

Monotheistic religions like Christianity, Judaism and Islam are not any different. We are beleaguered with pain, trouble and suffering because of sin. But if lead a good, honest life and abide by God's moral code, we will inherit ever lasting life and happiness.

I'm going to close this thread with quote from John Stuart Mill about the greatest good that says “......By happiness is intended pleasure, and the absence of pain; by unhappiness, pain, and the privation of pleasure.”

@chemicalbrodar
@MrOdanz
@OpeYeemiii