What Makes Us Happy, and Can We Ever be Happy?

Happiness. Often construed as the purpose of life is a much-debated topic. With different theories emerging from different parts of the world as early as 3000 years ago, cultivating happiness is an old-age puzzling question. However, all these theories and debates can be boiled down to certain branches, one of which is hedonism about happiness. Though most people would refer to it as a dying theory, much of its criticisms, I believe, can be vindicated.