The Best Within Us (Positive Psychology Perspectives on Eudaimonia)

The Best Within Us assembles a panel of distinguished scholars whose work has been central to understanding positive aspects of psychological functioning. Together, the chapters explore the many ways in which the philosophic concept of eudaimonia is being employed in psychology. Eudaimonia is defined in this volume as: Flourishing Realisation of potentials reflecting the true self Happiness that comes from the pursuit of virtue/excellence Although philosophy continues to pit hedonism and eudaimonism against one another, theoretical and empirical work in psychology leads to the conclusion that eudaimonic functioning is the most reliable basis for life satisfaction. The source of happiness plays the greatest role in the outcomes obtained. Chapters in this volume also reveal that eudaimonic functioning not only yields quality of life benefits to the individual, it also benefits others in the person's life and extended community. Individuals whose behaviours reflect eudaimonic functioning have demonstrably closer, more caring, and more intimate personal relationships, and engage more extensively in a wide range of prosocial activities. This book is for personality and social psychologists with a teaching and research interest in positive psychology, well-being, happiness, self-acceptance and self-esteem, identity, meaning in life, self-determination and autonomy, and motivation. Psychologists examining the intersections of psychology with philosophy will find much of interest here. This book is also for philosophers, sociologists, and political scientists, and graduate students seeking research ideas pertaining to quality of life. Recipes For A Good Life: Eudaimonism And The Contribution Of Philosophy / Valerie Tiberius -- Feelings, Meanings, And Optimal Functioning: Some Distinctions Between Hedonic And Eudaimonic Well-being / Joar Vittersø -- What Humans Need: Flourishing In Aristotelian Philosophy And Self-determination Theory / Richard M. Ryan, Randall R. Curren, Edward L. Deci -- Eudaimonic Well-being And Health: Mapping Consequences Of Self-realization / Carol D. Ryff --eudaimonic Identity Theory / Alan S. Waterman, Seth J. Schwartz -- Individual Daimon, Universal Needs, And Subjective Well-being: Happiness As The Natural Consequence Of A Life Well Lived / Kennon M. Sheldon -- Pursuing Eudaimonia Versus Hedonia: Distinctions, Similarities, And Relationships -- Veronika Huta -- Is Meaning In Life A Flagship Indicator Of Well-being? / Michael F. Steger, Joo Yeon Shin, Yerin Shim, Arissa Fitch-martin -- Passion And Optimal Functioning In Society: A Eudaimonic Perspective / Robert J. Vallerand -- Importance Of Who You Really Are: The Role Of The True Self In Eudaimonia / Rebecca J. Schegel, Kelly A. Hirsch, Christina M. Smith / Cross-cultural Perceptions Of Meaning And Goals In Adulthood: Their Roots And Relations With Happiness / Antonella Delle Fave, Marié Wissing, Ingrid Brdar, Dianne Vella-brodrick, Teresa Freire / Discovering Positive Lives And Futures: Adolescent Eudaimonic Expression Through Activity Involvement / J. Douglas Coatsworth, Erin Hiley Sharp / Human Strengths And Well-being: Finding The Best Within Us At The Intersection Of Eudaimonic Philosophy, Humanistic Psychology, And Positive Psychology / P. Alex Linley. Recipes For A Good Life: Eudaimonism And The Contribution Of Philosophy / Valerie Tiberius -- Feelings, Meanings, And Optimal Functioning: Some Distinctions Between Hedonic And Eudaimonic Well-being / Joar Vittersø -- What Humans Need: Flourishing In Aristotelian Philosophy And Self-determination Theory / Richard M. Ryan, Randall R. Curren, Edward L. Deci -- Eudaimonic Well-being And Health: Mapping Consequences Of Self-realization / Carol D. Ryff --eudaimonic Identity Theory / Alan S. Waterman, Seth J. Schwartz -- Individual Daimon, Universal Needs, And Subjective Well-being: Happiness As The Natural Consequence Of A Life Well Lived / Kennon M. Sheldon -- Pursuing Eudaimonia Versus Hedonia: Distinctions, Similarities, And Relationships -- Veronika Huta -- Is Meaning In Life A Flagship Indicator Of Well-being? / Michael F. Steger, Joo Yeon Shin, Yerin Shim, Arissa Fitch-martin -- Passion And Optimal Functioning In Society: A Eudaimonic Perspective / Robert J. Vallerand -- Importance Of Who You Really Are: The Role Of The True Self In Eudaimonia / Rebecca J. Schegel, Kelly A. Hirsch, Christina M. Smith / Cross-cultural Perceptions Of Meaning And Goals In Adulthood: Their Roots And Relations With Happiness / Antonella Delle Fave, Marié Wissing, Ingrid Brdar, Dianne Vella-brodrick, Teresa Freire / Discovering Positive Lives And Futures: Adolescent Eudaimonic Expression Through Activity Involvement / J. Douglas Coatsworth, Erin Hiley Sharp / Human Strengths And Well-being: Finding The Best Within Us At The Intersection Of Eudaimonic Philosophy, Humanistic Psychology, And Positive Psychology / P. Alex Linley. Edited By Alan S. Waterman. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. The Best Within Us assembles a panel of distinguished scholars whose work has been central to understanding positive aspects of psychological functioning. Together, the chapters explore the many ways in which the philosophic concept of eudaimonia is being employed in psychology. Eudaimonia is defined in this volume as flourishing, realization of potentials reflecting the true self, and happiness that comes from the pursuit of virtue/excellence Although philosophy continues to pit hedonism and eudaimonism against one another, theoretical and empirical work in psychology leads to the conclusion that eudaimonic functioning is the most reliable basis for life satisfaction. The source of happiness plays the greatest role in the outcomes obtained. Chapters in this volume also reveal that eudaimonic functioning not only yields quality of life benefits to the individual, it also benefits others in the person's life and extended community. Individuals whose behaviors reflect eudaimonic functioning have demonstrably closer, more caring, and more intimate personal relationships, and engage more extensively in a wide range of prosocial activities. This book is for personality and social psychologists with a teaching and research interest in positive psychology, well-being, happiness, self-acceptance and self-esteem, identity, meaning in life, self-determination and autonomy, and motivation. Psychologists examining the intersections of psychology with philosophy will find much of interest here. This book is also for philosophers, sociologists, and political scientists, and graduate students seeking research ideas pertaining to quality of life. Contents Contributors Preface Introduction: Considering the Nature of a Life Well Lived—Intersections of Positive Psychology and Eudaimonist Philosophy Chapter 1 Recipes for a Good Life: Eudaimonism and the Contribution of Philosophy Chapter 2 Feelings, Meanings, and Optimal Functioning: Some Distinctions Between Hedonic and Eudaimonic Well-Being Chapter 3 What Humans Need: Flourishing in Aristotelian Philosophy and Self-Determination Theory Chapter 4 Eudaimonic Well-Being and Health: Mapping Consequences of Self-Realization Chapter 5 Eudaimonic Identity Theory Chapter 6 Individual Daimon, Universal Needs, and Subjective Well-Being: Happiness as the Natural Consequence of a Life Well Lived Chapter 7 Pursuing Eudaimonia Versus Hedonia: Distinctions, Similarities, and Relationships Chapter 8 Is Meaning in Life a Flagship Indicator of Well-Being? Chapter 9 Passion and Optimal Functioning in Society: A Eudaimonic Perspective Chapter 10 The Importance of Who You Really Are: The Role of the True Self in Eudaimonia Chapter 11 Cross-Cultural Perceptions of Meaning and Goals in Adulthood: Their Roots and Relations With Happiness Chapter 12 Discovering Positive Lives and Futures: Adolescent Eudaimonic Expression Through Activity Involvement Chapter 13 Human Strengths and Well-Being: Finding the Best Within Us at the Intersection of Eudaimonic Philosophy, Humanistic Psychology, and Positive Psychology Index About the Editor "The nature of well-being has been a subject of long-standing concern in psychology. Much of the work on the topic has been directed toward subjective accounts of well-being. The contributors to this volume, in varying ways, have sought to expand the understanding of well-being beyond subjective indices, directing the attention of the field to psychological qualities that are now subsumed under the umbrella of eudaimonic functioning. As part of the growth of positive psychology, the past decade has seen a marked increase in attention paid to distinctions between hedonic and eudaimonic concepts. This book is devoted to exploring the breadth of theory and research regarding eudaimonic well-being, in order to help us better understand where this field has been, where it is now, and what may be possible in the future. Another of the goals underlying the construction of this book was the prospect of increasing dialogue between psychologists and philosophers on themes of mutual interest. This book is intended for a broad audience in the social sciences with an interest in the nature of happiness and well-being and in the empirical research that has been conducted with the goal of better understanding what constitutes a life well lived"--Preface. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved) The Best Within Us explores the many ways the philosophic concept of eudaimonia is being employed in psychology. Eudaimonia is an ancient philosophy that today informs the field of positive psychology, specifically in the study of flourishing and the fulfillment of potentials, identity development, happiness, and well-being. Eudaimonic functioning not only yields quality of life benefits to the individual, it also contributes to caring, intimate personal relationships, and engagement in prosocial activities. This book is for personality and social psychologists with teaching and research interests in positive psychology, happiness, well-being, self-acceptance and self-esteem, identity, meaning in life, self-determination and autonomy, and motivation. It is also for graduate students seeking research ideas pertaining to quality of life.