There are many many societies around the world that have survived for millennia with cultural practices that you and I might think are abominable. The fact that they have survived is an indication that there are many paths to 'happiness'.

They have survived not because of science, but because of perceptions. This is true of all belief systems, and the fact that perceptions (cultural DNA) are as important as genetics imo.

It s only since Post-Colonialism that some of these perceptual anomalies have been under challenge. And these challenges are continuing, if not growing. The caste system survives in India, even as it becomes an iTC focus. I'd even say there is a new caste system in Europe.

I've no idea about the answers, but they are certainly relative.

You can't be me, I'm taken