Eudaimonik

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Relating to eudaimonia, the state of human flourishing and well-being that comes from living virtuously and realizing one's potential
2. Describing the happiness that arises from living well and fulfilling one's true nature, as in classical Greek ethical thought
3. Concerned with the flourishing of a person's life as a whole, especially the good life pursued through virtue and reason

Etymology: Ancient Greek "eudaimonia" literally meant something like "having a good spirit," and the spirit in question was the "daimon," a guiding divine power or personal fortune. The "daimon" was not an evil being. The sense of "demon" came later, so the Greek idea was closer to being watched over by a favorable fate. Aristotle made the term central to ethics, using it for a flourishing life rather than a passing feeling of pleasure. The English adjective "eudaimonic" is a modern formation built from that Greek noun, with the Greek "eu," meaning "well" or "good," joined to "daimon." It is used mainly in philosophy and psychology, where it distinguishes a life of meaning and growth from one of momentary happiness. The Greek roots carry the older belief that well-being depends partly on forces beyond one's control.