Eudaimonia (εὐδαιμονία) — “Flourishing,” “happiness,” or “well-being” — an imprecise translation, since it designates a state of lived excellence, not merely pleasure. For Aristotle, eudaimonia is the supreme human good (telos of life), achieved through the exercise of virtues according to reason over a complete lifetime. It is not a passing feeling, but an activity. The Stoics identify it with pure virtue; the Epicureans, with freedom from disturbance (ataraxia).


Glossary