Happiness is so important to us, both as individuals and as the world, primarily because happiness is really all there is. As human beings, although we possess cognitive abilities and are highly "thought" oriented, the quality of our lives is ultimately ENTIRELY determined by our emotions. The fundamental reason why happiness is so important is that it's extremely vital to our own goals in life and can help us achieve many other cherished personal ambitions and goals. Also, by being happy, we have the potential to change many other lives just by being ourselves.