In past columns, I talked about hedonism, which is the philosophy of seeking pleasure as the great purpose of life. This philosophical current was born in Ancient Greece thanks to Aristippus of Cyrene and Epicurus of Samos.
The great thinkers and philosophers in antiquity discovered how to live with a purpose. However, in modernity, the same doesn’t happen; the more material possessions you have, the less meaning you find in life.
Today I will tell you #sinrecato about the philosophy of eudaimonia, which proposes ways on how to develop meaning and purpose in our lives.
The Greek philosopher, Aristotle, was the first to propose the concept of eudaimonia which mistranslates “happiness”, but specifically means “human flourishing”.
This philosophy has been misunderstood because it has been related to the pursuit of joy, pleasure and the elimination of pain. And understandably so, because humanity has striven to increase well-being and minimize pain.
For example, microwaves cook faster, social media entertains, escalators help us walk faster. Law of minimum effort. However, making life easier at the same time has limited eudaimonia, preventing true flourishing.
According to Aristotle, the eudaimonic life is active, curious, dreamy and engaged. Therefore, pain is necessary for growth, participation in community to connect and bond with all those who challenge values and beliefs.
As people become more comfortable and less challenged, needs are easily met and you are happy, but momentarily.
Westerners celebrate and encourage hedonistic philosophy, but the point is to achieve balance, it’s not about eliminating leisure altogether or embracing pain completely.
The ancient Greeks based eudaimonia on four fundamental pillars: belonging, purpose, narrative and transcendence:
- Belonging is related to connecting with others face to face.
- Purpose relates to engaging in valuable and productive activities in which we use our skills and abilities to serve others without asking for or expecting something in return.
- Create narratives or stories to explain both positive and negative experiences that have impacted our lives.
- The idea of transcendence allows us to share spiritual or mystical experiences that make us feel part of something bigger than ourselves.
Today there are many modern thinkers of eudaimonia, most notably the American psychologists Edward Deci and Richard Ryan. Deci, professor of psychology and social sciences at the University of Rochester, New York, and Ryan, clinical psychologist and research professor at the same university, conclude:
- Know your life goals: it’s enough to have, or strive to have, a sense of the fundamental beliefs that guide you and give meaning to your existence.
- Example: bring happiness to others or help those who suffer.
- Focus on your goals: according to these thinkers, if you are a kind person, charismatic with children or talented, you should direct your abilities towards achieving those goals in order to practice virtue.
- Develop your best potential: this is about being the best you can be, driven by authentic and meaningful goals.
- Experience eudaimonia, which is nothing more than the pursuit of virtue, excellence and the best of ourselves.
- Express yourself: Do things because you derive genuine enjoyment from them and because they are consistent with your vision of yourself, rather than waiting for reward.
Here are some eudaimonic behaviors to put into practice for your personal flourishing and that of others:
- Pursue a personal ideal or excellence.
- Develop or learn a skill.
- Volunteer in social or charitable works.
- Write down future goals.
- Express verbally or in writing your gratitude for other people’s actions.
- Listen carefully to others.
- Have a supportive network of family or friends.
- Persevere in achieving worthy goals despite difficulties.
The popular belief that decreasing the pain associated with work and increasing the pleasure associated with leisure will make us happier is very attractive but unrealistic.
The ancient thinkers warned that the excesses brought on by leisure and comfort provide short-term happiness.
So, flourish with eudaimonia and engage with your community, use your skills and passions to do good, embrace emotions and relationships that allow you to grow and learn.
Don’t do anything for a reward or recognition, do it because it simply comes from your heart and because you are a good human being; that should be your life philosophy and also your religion.
Traducción del español: Catalina Oviedo Brugés
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