Eudemonism is a stream of moral philosophy, in which happiness is considered the ultimate goal of humanity. The search for happiness is supreme there. There are several types of eudemonisms, different depending on the definition we give of happiness. What is the conception of happiness according to the eudemonists? How is eudemonism distinguished from other philosophical currents?

Coming from the Greek word “eudaimonia”, meaning “beatitude”, eudemonism is a current of moral philosophy which places happiness as the supreme objective of the existence of man. Happiness is not here opposed to reason, because it is the natural end of life.

Based on absolute trust in human beings, eudemonism poses the search for happiness as the irreplaceable key in existence.

This would be, according to this doctrine, our only chance for development. Therefore, to be successful in life, for eudemonists, is to achieve happiness over a long period of time. It is necessary for that to devote all its efforts to this research, and to rationalize the happiness in this quest.

The definition of happiness has made entire generations of philosophers diverge. Indeed, even our life experience tells us: achieving happiness is not the same experience for everyone. Some see their happiness in its immediate character: meeting friends, playing sports, having a good time with family, going on a trip … This is hedonism: by the search for pleasure and by rewarding activities that give us joy. , we access happiness, albeit fleetingly.

Hedonism is opposed to eudemonism, by the way of access to happiness that it suggests, where the immediate side prevails.

Eudemonic happiness, on the other hand, relies on our personal development. By preparing for and obtaining a diploma, self-exploration, learning a language or other knowledge, we access happiness, through the pride and satisfaction that we feel in growing personally , in the cognitive, emotional and moral domains.

Among hedonists, the degree of happiness is almost always very high, but of short duration, and less satisfactory for our ego. Among eudemonists, the degree of intensity of happiness will depend on the achievement of our goals. If they are completely achieved, the happiness will be very intense and long lasting, pushing us even more to continue our personal development.

It is therefore a matter of happiness obtained through effort, and not the search for or the feeling of pleasure in practicing activities. Motivation is a second engine in this growth of ourselves leading us towards eudemonic happiness. These two engines, effort and motivation, will indeed help us to overcome the obstacles encountered on our way before reaching our objectives. At the end of the day, the reward is considerable: to obtain long-lasting happiness, in which we have a pleasant, serene and proud perception of ourselves.

We have discussed the differences between eudemonism and hedonism. What about other philosophical currents, speaking of happiness?

Epicureanism

Epicureanism is included in eudemonism: indeed, Epicureans consider intellectual pleasure as ultimate happiness. In this context, Epicurean morality consists in satisfying only one’s most essential needs, natural and necessary pleasures.

Le stoicism

In Stoicism, it is the concept of fate (fatum) that governs morality. Man must be guided by the acceptance of his destiny, because he does not control anything except his gaze on things that happen to him. Here, happiness therefore lies in the way we react to what happens to us, and not in the events themselves.

Individualists

Among individualists, the individual takes precedence over the social collectivity, and he sets the values ​​that support society. Nietzsche is one of the representatives.

The existentialists

Among the existentialists, man is free to invent a path and a morality. Several philosophers have carried different of these currents, in particular Plato (in his work Gorgias), Aristotle (in Ethique à Nicomaque), Kant (Metaphysics of mores) or Nietzsche (Human, too human).

The altruistic current

In the altruistic current, happiness is part of the help and love that we can bring to others. Only acts guided by selflessness and love for others are moral.