Eudaimonic

Eudaimonic is an adjective describing forms of well-being or flourishing that arise from meaning, purpose, and virtuous functioning, rather than from pleasure alone. In philosophy, eudaimonia refers to human flourishing achieved by living in accordance with virtue and reason; in modern psychology the term is used for well-being grounded in realizing one’s potential, personal growth, and authentic engagement with life.

The word comes from Greek eu- meaning “good” and daimon meaning “spirit” or “guardian spirit,” and it entered English through philosophical and psychological discourse about the good life.

Philosophically, eudaimonia is associated with Aristotle’s view that the highest human good consists of activity of the soul in accordance with virtue over a complete life, yielding lasting fulfillment rather than transient pleasure. The concept contrasts with hedonia, which centers on pleasure, happiness, and positive affect.

In contemporary psychology, eudaimonic well-being is commonly contrasted with hedonic well-being. A widely cited framework is Carol Ryff’s six-factor model, which includes autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, positive relations with others, purpose in life, and self-acceptance. Eudaimonic accounts emphasize meaning, resilience, and authentic functioning, and they intersect with theories of self-determination, virtue, and long-term fulfillment.

Critics note cultural variability and measurement challenges, arguing that eudaimonia can be difficult to define cross-culturally and to capture with standardized scales. Nonetheless, the concept remains central to discussions of well-being that go beyond happiness to the quality of living a life of purpose and virtue.