What does eudaemonic mean?
Eudaemonic is a formal adjective describing anything concerned with true happiness or human flourishing in the deepest sense. It derives from the ancient Greek concept of eudaimonia, famously central to Aristotle's ethics, which holds that a good life consists not of transient pleasure but of virtuous activity and the full realization of one's human potential. In modern usage, the term appears most often in philosophy and psychology, where researchers contrast eudaemonic wellbeing — grounded in meaning, purpose, autonomy, and personal growth — with hedonic wellbeing, which is based on pleasure and comfort. For example, choosing demanding but meaningful work over an easier but hollow life might be described as an eudaemonic choice. The word carries an intellectual, elevated register and signals engagement with serious ethical thought, making it valuable in academic writing, though it is rare in everyday conversation.
adjectiveRelating to or aimed at happiness, wellbeing, or human flourishing; especially concerned with the kind of deep fulfillment that comes from living a virtuous, meaningful life.
- Relating to or characterized by happiness or genuine wellbeing that arises from living virtuously and realizing one's potential (as opposed to mere pleasure or gratification).
"The philosopher's eudaemonic ethics held that a good life is measured not by pleasure but by the cultivation of virtue."
"Her decision to leave the lucrative job for volunteer work reflected an eudaemonic rather than a hedonistic view of the good life."
"Psychologists increasingly distinguish between hedonic satisfaction and eudaemonic fulfilment when measuring quality of life."
Aristotle argued 2,300 years ago that real happiness isn't pleasure — it's flourishing — and we still use his Greek word for it: eudaemonic.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of eudaemonic
Eudaemonic comes from the Greek 'eudaimonia', meaning happiness or flourishing, itself formed from 'eu-' (good) plus 'daimōn' (spirit, guardian spirit). The term entered English philosophical vocabulary through Latinized scholarship on Aristotle's ethics, becoming established in English by the early modern period. Its cognates include 'eudaemonia' (the noun denoting flourishing itself), 'eudaemonism' (the ethical doctrine that happiness is the highest good), and the broader family of words built on 'daimōn', such as 'demonic'.
Related word forms
How eudaemonic is actually used
A formal, scholarly term found chiefly in philosophy and positive psychology. It is a variant spelling of 'eudaimonic' (reflecting the transliteration of the Greek diphthong 'ai' as 'ae'), with 'eudaimonic' now more common in modern psychological literature. The stress falls on the third syllable.
Easily confused with eudaemonic
While 'eudaemonic' refers to wellbeing derived from meaning, purpose, and self-realization, 'hedonic' refers to wellbeing derived from pleasure and the avoidance of pain.