In Aristotelian philosophy, eudaemonia is a state of realistic happiness and fulfillment arrived at through achieving values that make life worth living. Eudaemonia is the aim of an ongoing process of living with integrity of character. When there is a moment of realization that one's life is working well across the board—that moment is a hallmark reached, a state of eudaemonia, and to be treasured as an end in itself. Afterwards, one continues their journey, building towards the next eudaemonia moment.
Art serves as the ideal medium for portraying eudaemonia. Unlike real-life experiences of eudaemonia that are fleeting, art has the power to immortalize it—an extraordinary phenomenon. Art can isolate, bring into focus, and exemplify moments that are ends in themselves. In real life, people might not have the self-awareness to hold onto these moments, or they may be interrupted by everyday distractions like a crying baby or a burst pipe. But through art, these moments are forever fixed as symbols of what eudaemonia means.
Many view art as an expression of authentic emotions, including pain and frustration. But, in life, these challenges are not ends in themselves—they are hurdles to overcome as part of the human experience. Life presents a series of problems to solve: one fire is put out, and another begins. Frustration, angst, and uncertainty are natural, demanding resolution rather than being worthy goals in their own right.
Art, in its essence, immortalizes moments as ends in themselves, for good or bad. But if the art portrays negative states as the goal, as the end in itself, it will scream to the viewer that it is not resolved. When a problem is projected, it is our human nature to resolve it. In that way the artwork will feel not worthy of being an end in itself.
Aristotle did not connect eudaemonia to art as a means of portrayal or exemplification. In contrast, Ayn Rand, while emphasizing happiness as a goal in her philosophy, focuses her literature on projecting the heroic individual rather than eudaemonia itself. I view art uniquely and separately from them: art is the ideal medium to project a state of eudaemonia.
There are three paintings exemplifying eudaemonia: Rembrandt's Danaë, Botticelli's The Birth of Venus, and Courbet's Woman with a Parrot. Each artwork captures moments of ends in themselves: falling in love at first sight; arriving to the world perfectly without any baggage; and fully enjoying a perfect moment. But to my knowledge, these works haven't been identified as exemplars of eudaemonia.
My intent is to take Aristotle's profound concept of eudaemonia, which I believe is tremendously beneficial for humanity, and connect it with art as the ideal medium for its expression. By linking eudaemonia with art, I hope to define an alternative aesthetic that furthers the tremendous potential of art to heal, inspire, and transform.
Rembrandt's Danaë.
Botticelli's The Birth of Venus.
Courbet's Woman with a Parrot.
Newberry’s Danae.
"Afterwards, one continues their journey, building towards the next eudaemonia moment."
I feel like many people don't realise this. It's always, "I am going to get that job and then I am going to be happy" or "when I get married I will be happy" or "when I achieve X I will be content". It's like people think there is some plateau that needs to be reached and then they will be happy forever. They then become disgruntled when it doesn't keep them happy forever and then start questioning their initial choices (like who they married or the job the wanted) instead of working through the next challenge - going backwards instead of forwards.
Anyways, I think what I am trying to say is you are drawing attention to an important topic in a beautiful way. Amazing!
Thank you for restacking @Dave pearen !