"Happiness": Is it our primary goal in life?

Is "happiness" the ultimate goal and meaning of life? The ancient Greeks described it with the word "eudaimonia" which Aristotle said meant happiness is not pleasure but living virtuously and fulfilling one’s potential achieved by practicing moral and intellectual virtues over a lifetime.
Epicurus viewed Happiness as the absence of pain (ataraxia) and simple pleasures. True happiness comes from moderation, friendship, and inner peace—not indulgence.
The Stoics asserted that Happiness is found in living according to nature and reason, not external goods and above all focus on what is within your control and accept what is not.
Buddhism views Happiness as the cessation of suffering (dukkha) through detachment and mindfulness.
Confucianism asserted that Happiness is found in harmonious relationships, fulfilling one’s roles in society, and practicing virtue (ren).
Utilitarianism View: Happiness is the greatest amount of pleasure for the greatest number.
Kantian Ethics (Immanuel Kant): True happiness is not the goal; rather, we must act out of duty and moral law. Happiness may result from virtue, but moral worth comes from good will, not outcomes.
Existentialism (e.g., Camus, Sartre) View: Life has no inherent meaning; happiness comes from creating meaning through personal freedom and choice. Happiness is an act of defiance and authenticity in an absurd world.
Robert Ingersoll's creed was: “Happiness is the only good. The time to be happy is now. The place to be happy is here. The way to be happy is to make others so.”
Schopenhauer asserted that happiness was more or less unobtainable and the best we could hope for is an existence free from pain--is that happiness?!
Here is a view (one that I find most meaningful to me) from Leo Rosten:
The purpose of life is not to be happy at all. It is to be useful. To be honorable. It is to be compassionate. It is to matter, to have made some difference that you lived.”
Jacob had this thought: there doesn't seem to be much advantage to being perpetually happy or satisfied. In fact, he'd argue we're somewhat maladapted to thrive in our modern industrialized world, for example our craving for unhealthy foods--they are satisfying and provide short term pleasure but are destructive in the long term.
Some Questions--not all inclusive of course:

• What is happiness?
• Is happiness the ultimate goal of life?
• We often hear that the true way to happiness is to serve others--do you agree?
• Should happiness be our primary goal in life?
• Can we really be happy other than in limited, specific circumstances?

Looking forward to some energized, intelligent conversation!