The Engine of Meaning: Eudaimonia

By Jorge Rubio

If we accept that meaning is not something we find but something we bestow and that the pursuit of happiness appears to be the universal human goal, then happiness is the North Star that organizes our world. Happiness as discussed before is an organizing goal that shapes our lives into "vehicles" that help us move forward and "obstacles" that stand in our way.

The Problem with the Pursuit

However, the aim for happiness is not straightforward. Two major complications trip us up:

1. Happiness is a by-product: Is the result of a life well-lived, not a prize to be grabbed.

2. Our instincts deceive us: We often confuse the short-term dopamine hit of pleasure with the lasting glow of a meaningful life.

Aristotle’s provides a philosophical framework for pursuing happiness in a coherent way.

The Function of a Human Being

According to Aristotle, to understand what is "good" for something, we must first understand its function.

Consider a car. A "good" car is one that functions excellently, it is reliable, fuel-efficient, and moves you safely from point A to point B. We determine what is beneficial for the car based on this function. An oil change is "good" because it facilitates the car’s purpose. Conversely, redlining the engine or slamming on the brakes unnecessarily is "bad" because it detracts from the car's overall function and longevity.

Eudaimonia as Activity

For Aristotle, eudaimonia is not a destination or a feeling; it is an activity. It is the "excellent expression of human nature" in action. Just as a car is at its best when it is running smoothly on the open road, a human is at their best when they are realizing their unique potential.

How do we achieve this? Through virtues.

In the Aristotelian sense, virtues are not just abstract moral concepts; they are characterological habits. They are the "maintenance" of the human soul. Just as regular oil changes keep a car reliable, practicing courage, temperance, and wisdom forms a character that can flourish. These habits become the very fabric of our nature.

Conclusion

Meaning, then, is not found in the fleeting moments of joy, but in the steady, habitual pursuit of excellence. By focusing on our "function," on the virtues that allow us to express our nature at its highest level, happiness ceases to be a ghost we chase and becomes the natural atmosphere of our lives.

References

• Fowers, B. J. (2015). The Evolution of Ethics: Human Sociality and the Emergence of Ethical Mindedness.Palgrave Macmillan.

  • Note: This text provides the foundation for the "function argument" (pp. 30-38), the distinction between eudaimonia and pleasure (p. 20), and the concept of virtues as habitual expressions of human capacity (p. 11).