Eudaimonia

Concept · Aristotle · Philosophy, stage 1: Learn the vocabulary

Eudaimonia is usually translated as 'happiness' or 'flourishing,' though neither translation is exact. For Aristotle it names the highest human good: a life lived well and fully, in accordance with reason and virtue, judged over a complete life rather than in isolated moments. It is not a feeling you have but an activity you engage in, closer to 'living well' than to 'feeling good.'

Why it matters

It sets the goal Aristotle's whole ethical system works toward, and it is why virtue ethics asks what kind of person to be rather than what rule to follow.

Part of

Eudaimonia in the glossary

Sources

  1. Aristotle's Ethics Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
  2. Aristotle Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy

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Eudaimonia: Philosophy, Learn the vocabulary | amphi