Eudaimoniset

Eudaimoniset is a neologistic term used in contemporary moral philosophy and social theory to describe a school of thought or group that places eudaimonia, or human flourishing, at the center of ethics. The term combines eudaimonia with an -iset-like formation to denote a doctrinal stance or framework. It does not have a single, standardized definition and appears in a limited range of scholarly discussions and online essays.

Core tenets generally center the idea that the ultimate aim of individual life and social policy is flourishing across multiple dimensions—psychological well-being, moral development, social cooperation, and meaningful life projects. Eudaimoniset approaches typically criticize purely hedonic accounts of well-being and emphasize long-term outcomes, virtue, and the cultivation of capacities that enable persons to realize their flourishing within a community. They often advocate for institutions and practices—education, civic life, family structures, and cultural norms—that support durable flourishing rather than transient pleasure.

Relation to other theories and common criticisms are characteristic of discussions around eudaimoniset. The view overlaps with virtue ethics and the capability approach, and it is sometimes aligned with Aristotelian or neo-Aristotelian perspectives. Critics raise questions about how flourishing is defined across cultures, how to measure flourishing, and whether policies aimed at flourishing risk paternalism or cultural imposition. Debates also concern potential conflicts between individual flourishing and collective or minority interests.

Usage notes indicate that eudaimoniset remains a debated label rather than a widely adopted doctrine. It is mainly found in analytic and continental discussions about well-being, virtue, and public policy. See also: eudaimonia, virtue ethics, flourishing, eudaimonism.