EUDAIMONIA

Hello my dear reader 😊

Today I picked this ancient Greek term "EUDAIMONIA" as my topic of discussion. Once I came through this terminology. As out of curiosity I searched for Greek term used for "living a happy life" . I found it interesting and  decided to introduce this to others who still may not be aware of this philosophical term. Here I am going to describe the terminology and the various relating aspects in brief.

The word literally translates to "good spirit" or "well spirit" (from eu meaning "good" and daimon meaning "spirit"). 

Eudaimonia is an ancient Greek term mainly used by Aristotle. He described this philosophical term for the "wellbeing" or "fulfilling life" through authentic self realisation accompanied with true values and purpose. According to him this concept includes the various aspects like personal growth, moral virtue, living a meaningful life at deeper sense and not that shallow one. Eudaimonic activities leads one to a more happier, richer and meaningful life. It's different from today's modern approach of happiness which believes in momentary pleasure. Eudaimonia is far beyond living a happy life only to have materialistic world. This philosophy inspires one to feel the real essence of life, the real joy of life by going deep down the actual need of humanity. This concept was introduced to improve quality of human life. It's positive approach help us to see deeper meaning of happiness.

Before Aristotle Athenian philosophers such as Socrates and Plato (Aristotle’s mentor) were already into this concept as both of them described living a healthy, happy and fulfilling life. Socrates gave VIRTUE as the main element of knowing the difference between doing good or evil. which decides one's happiness while Plato said VIRTUE is enough for living a prosperous life and the ultimate good. Aristotle in fact believed that VIRTUE itself is not sufficient, but we need to intend to be VIRTUOUS too. Aristotle’s eudaimonia is a moral happiness concept.

Tips on How to Achieve Eudaimonia

1. Know your ‘life goals’

It's important to do some meaningful things to bring happiness into your life and even to other's especially those suffering ones. Live a purposeful life.

 

2. Focus your capabilities and skills towards achieving those goals

This means to indulge yourself into such activities where you can give your best and at the same time you help others too which would make you feel proud and fulfilled. for example a Teacher who teaches children and help them to grow in a very happy and successful person. this is very fulfilling for that teacher.

3. Developing your best potentials

So here we can say one should work in an authentic form and doing meaningful things with the best he/she can do. as we can say in the above example of teacher " be the best teacher" for your students.

4. Always thrive to achieve best within you

Eudaimonia is not the end goal. It is the pursuit of happiness, virtue, excellence and the best within us which we need to continue in order to achieve a prosperous and fulfilled life.

THE MODERN APPROACH OF EUDAIMONIA

• Modern interpretation: 

  In modern psychology, the concept has been revived and studied in relation to psychological well-being, a state that involves personal growth and fulfillment rather than just positive emotions. 

Let's talk about the Stoic triangle of Eudaimonia

As you can see through these triangles how eudaimonia or a flourished well lived life can be achieved. The stoic happiness triangle depicts how to live, what you can control, take responsibility and hence achieve eudaimonia a life full of happiness, self sufficient and fulfilling one.

The bottom left corner of this stoic happiness triangle describes how to live and express your highest version moment to moment as with time the requirements change where you put all your best to do meaningful things.

The right bottom corner tells to focus on what you can control and make the best use of what is in your power while leaving the rest as it happens which you can not control. It's advised not to waste your energy and time on things which you can not control.

After these two steps then comes the top corner of the stoic happiness triangle which ask you to take responsibility. As without being a responsible person no one could trust you for the situation and you might be taken for granted. To achieve a real happiness one has to take responsibility in a positive sense rather than taking it as a burden. 

Let's understand this triangle with an example of a STUDENT . For a student the left bottom corner says to express himself/herself at his/her best potential during the classes and exams. then the right bottom corner of the stoic triangle says to focus on their studies, each and every minute details given by the teacher and prepare well for the exams as preparation is in their hands leaving the rest i.e. the result which they can not control as this would depend on their performance in exams which in turn depends on their preparation. the top corner for a student says take responsibility of doing best in their studies and exams then only he/she can achieve excellent results. Which is the EUDAIMONIA a real sense of happiness for a student. 

Hope I could have helped you to understand what EUDAIMONIA is according to my understandings. 

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