Hello again! Yesterday, I encouraged you to step off, or JUMP off, the hedonic treadmill, and by making that jump, commit to a life of eudaimonia. Today I am going to talk more about what a life based in eudaimonia looks like, and how you can get there. For some of you, you may already be there, and that is good news! Keep it up! If this is a new concept for you, or if you think you could use a little eudaimonia boost, read on!
Eudaimonia, often used interchangeably with 'flourishing', was a focal point for early Greek philosophers like Aristotle and Plato. These early philosophers referred to eudaimonia as a life embedded in ethics and virtue. Today, eudaimonia is described by researchers as a stable sense of well-being, and still one that focuses on actions of virtue or ethical behavior. We also see that this type of life philosophy results in feelings of contentment, purpose, and connection. It is not a state of being, like 'feeling happy' or 'being in a good mood', which can change in a moment or a day, but is stable and enduring, regardless of circumstance. Like during a pandemic or civil unrest.
This differs from hedonic well-being, which I discussed yesterday, because hedonia is much more malleable, changing with variations in circumstance, or time. Hedonia is a great feeling! Like the sense of excitement or happiness that might be felt after finding out you received a promotion, were asked out on a date, or were accepted into a program or school. But if your life lacks purpose and ethical foundations, the hedonic response to these exciting events can be rather hollow or definitely short lived. After the newness wears off, we tend to return to our set point for 'happiness' or satisfaction, which could be much lower if we don't have a foundation built on eudaimonia.
Living in isolation during a pandemic provides few opportunities for hedonic happiness (shopping, enjoying a meal with friends, attending a social gathering or event), but many opportunities for eudaimonia. Doing what is deemed as culturally virtuous today, in a pandemic, would include wearing a mask around others, to protect them in case you have COVID-19 and don't realize it. Wearing a mask, even if you are confident you do not have the virus (maybe you just got tested?), would allow others to feel assured that you have their best interests at heart. Staying home instead of socializing, cancelling vacations, and avoiding family gatherings are all tough decisions, reducing the opportunities for hedonia, but they all contribute to eudaimonia, acting as a long term investment in your sense of contentment and well-being.
Long term investments in eudaimonia do not require you to forsake all opportunities for hedonia, so please don't misunderstand. You do not have to choose one or the other permanently. You can choose to live a life rooted in eudaimonic living while still embracing opportunities for exciting and exhilarating hedonic experiences. That is necessary, actually, to keep life exciting, interesting, and to create moments of joy and spontaneity that revive us, energize us, and connect us with others.
Of course, from culture to culture, and at different times in history, what is perceived as best for the greater good, or ethical, may vary. It is not for one person to judge or evaluate, but for the individual embedded in a particular culture, context, or time to determine what is perceived as ethical or virtuous behavior.
In 2019, it may have been ethical or virtuous to deliver a homemade meal to your sick neighbor, for instance. In 2020, in the midst of a pandemic, that would probably not be wise or virtuous, but likely very risky. So, time, culture, and circumstance can change how we behave in virtuous or ethical ways. That can also make it challenging, to understand what is typically ethical or virtuous, and what is specifically, at this moment, ethical or virtuous. It requires thought and awareness, so slowing down to consider our actions is helpful in making wise, ethical choices.
Weighing the impact our decisions may have on others is an important element of eudaimonia. Taking the time to consider how our behaviors impact others is also beneficial to the greater good, to strengthening our own compassion and awareness, and the kindness we convey to others when we consider before acting.
According to Aristotle, Plato, and Socrates, who philosophized quite a bit about what eudaimonia is and how it comes to be, we need to begin by developing the skill of critical thinking. To reason and use logic in our decision making processes is key. As part of critical thinking, developing an ability to identify deception or biased interpretations of information is also key, according to these ancient philosophers (seems to timely, or timeless, doesn't it?). Finally, being able to regulate our emotions, so we don't give in to our moment by moment desires, but think through our decisions and their impacts first, is key to strengthening our ability to practice eudaimonic practices.
Some research suggests that practicing meditation and experiencing flow regularly may help us work toward this eudaimonia. These are topics we have covered in previous blog posts, so if you missed them, I encourage you to go back and read up on those elements of living a life worthwhile, a life of flourishing. This ties in with tomorrow's topic, which is the autotelic personality. Stay tuned. Meanwhile, take some time to reflect on your life and your decisions. Are you finding a balance between hedonic and eudaimonic actions, so that you can experience the excitement and fun of spontaneity in hedonia while focusing more on the contentment of a life built on the foundation of eudaimonic decisions? I hope so! We individually benefit as well as collectively. :)
Until tomorrow-
Stay safe, be well, and take care!
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