eudaemonism

eu·dae·mo·nism

noun \yü-ˈdē-mə-ˌni-zəm\

Definition of EUDAEMONISM

: a theory that the highest ethical goal is happiness and personal well-being

— eu·dae·mo·nist \-nist\ noun

— eu·dae·mo·nis·tic \-ˌdē-mə-ˈnis-tik\ adjective

Variants of EUDAEMONISM

eu·dae·mo·nism or eu·dai·mo·nism \-ˈdī-\

Origin of EUDAEMONISM

Greek eudaimonia happiness, from eudaimōn having a good attendant spirit, happy, from eu- + daimōn spirit — more at demon

First Known Use: 1827

eudaemonism

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

In ethics, the view that the ultimate justification of virtuous activity is happiness. Virtuous activity may be conceived as a means to happiness, or well-being, or as partly constitutive of it (see teleological ethics). Ethical eudaemonism should be distinguished from psychological eudaemonism, which holds that happiness is the ultimate motive of virtuous activity.