ARISTOTLE'S EUDEMONIA AND ITS IMPACT ON HUMAN WELLBEING IN MODERN PSYCHOLOGY: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Abstract

The pursuit of well-being goes beyond seeking pleasure and satisfaction. Aristotle's concept of "eudemonia" highlights human flourishing and the development of one's full potential. In psychology, subjective well-being has expanded to include a more holistic understanding of well-being. The Paper builds on Aristotle's ideas and modern positive psychology to define and measure eudaimonic well-being (focusing on living a meaningful life). It explores links to social factors, work-life experiences, health, and future research directions including: socio-economic inequality, the role of arts and humanities, and ethical entrepreneurship. This paper aims to closely interpret Aristotle's perspective and examine how it aligns or diverges from its use in contemporary psychology, thereby providing a clearer theoretical framework. Eudemonia is discussed as an ethical idea that represents the highest form of living, emerging naturally from human qualities. It's an active pursuit involving subjective experiences and the striving for goals that are inherently valuable for humans. While eudemonia represents a singular approach to life, it encompasses various elements like a sense of belonging, justice, and social harmony. The concept is distinct from mere pleasure-seeking (hedonic) and is about leading a complete life characterized by virtue of excellence. Aristotle viewed it as the ultimate purpose of human existence. Psychological research on eudaimonic well-being encompasses areas such as psychological well-being theory, self-determination theory, and meaning in life. Future research directions in eudaimonic well-being will also be discussed.