Aristotle, bless his ancient soul, had this quaint little concept of eudaimonia, which translates into English as "human flourishing"—not that anyone in the modern age really cares. Nowadays, people are content with their dopamine hits from screens, and yet here we are, daring to discuss something as ambitious as human flourishing. If you find that even remotely interesting, then buckle up, because this is going to be a whirlwind of wisdom, or at least, the wisdom of a guy who thought “self-improvement” didn’t include investing in Bitcoin.
Aristotle’s view of eudaimonia wasn't about feeling happy in the short term; he had no interest in today’s relentless pursuit of "good vibes only." His idea of happiness is virtue, but not the kind that earns you instant likes on Instagram. It’s a gritty, prolonged cultivation of virtues like courage, wisdom, and temperance—qualities that make you someone others might actually admire if admiration weren’t such a rare commodity these days.
Now, to achieve eudaimonia, Aristotle believed that one must cultivate practical wisdom, or phronesis. This isn’t the kind of wisdom you get from a TED Talk or a life coach; it's a disciplined approach to living that sounds suspiciously like hard work. Phronesis is essentially the art of knowing what to do in any given situation, and shocker, it doesn’t involve googling it first.
Let’s be clear: eudaimonia is not a “state of mind.” It’s not the cheap thrill of meditation apps, or the rush of yet another “life hack.” It’s a life-long pursuit that demands you actually develop into the best version of yourself, which requires some, let’s call it, uncomfortable honesty about your own inadequacies.
Aristotle’s second helpful little nugget was his emphasis on function. According to him, every being has a unique function—yes, even you, scrolling on social media. The idea here is that humans flourish when they live in line with their essential purpose, a concept that might feel foreign in an era where we can barely focus on one thing for more than five minutes.
So, to flourish, Aristotle claims you need to figure out your function, your telos. Now, this isn’t your job, your career, or your hobbies. Your telos is the core reason you exist, which might sound overly philosophical until you realize that failing to grasp this might leave you in a perpetual loop of superficial goals that are, let’s say, less fulfilling than you expected.
Another insightful takeaway: eudaimonia isn't achieved by solo hustling, isolated on your self-optimization island. Aristotle, bafflingly by today’s standards, argued that meaningful relationships are essential. Real flourishing, he believed, happens within a community where shared values actually count, something sorely lacking in today’s individualized, self-care-obsessed culture.
In other words, Aristotle was telling us that humans are fundamentally social creatures, not productivity robots. This isn’t about networking or climbing the social ladder, mind you. It’s about forging deep, virtuous friendships with people who challenge you to become better rather than just parrot back your own opinions in a convenient echo chamber.
To wrap it up, Aristotle’s vision of eudaimonia is maddeningly demanding. It doesn’t just ask you to feel good, but to be good, to consistently strive toward an ideal. In a world where we’re constantly bombarded with promises of quick fixes, eudaimonia demands a commitment to something far less glamorous: genuine growth.
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So, next time you’re scrolling, seeking inspiration, consider Aristotle’s roadmap to flourishing. You don’t need a new app, a new coach, or a “life hack.” You just need to have the grit to actually grow up and face yourself, virtues and all.
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