[x220]

>There's no global optimum for life, even at an individual scope

That's a big assumption with no evidence to support it. Depending on who you ask, people might say that the global optimum is Jesus, or Buddha, or Superman. People can instinctively think about the people they admire, abstract out the things these admirable people have in common, and strive towards (and worship) that ideal.

[agumonkey]

I shouldn't have used religious, I only had buddhist contemplation in mind.