Eudamonia and the pratice of Arete
Ancient Greek philosophers has always believe that Eudamonia, or perfect happiness can be achieved through practicing arete (virtues). Aristotle in Nicomachean Ethics mentioned it clearly that Eudamonia is linked with Arete as he said, "Human good turns out to be activity of soul in accordance with virtue, and if there are more than one virtue, in accordance with the best and most complete" [1098a5f]. In this case, what Aristotle mean in the context of Arete, is bound to Intellectual Arete not Moral Arete. This tradition is not alien to some of Christian intellectual stream too. To know God is often seen as the greatest pursue, and lead humanity to a state of Eudamonia. Philosopher like Spinoza mentioned on how actually knowing God, is a passion that drive mind to reach it perfection, a state of joy (Perfect Happiness). Even in the Old Testament, as David Hartman said, in the story of Job, despite his immense suffering, Job come to a realization that "The greatest happiness consist in knowing God", the God in which is absolutely beyond his comprehension. Saint Paul in Philippians 3:10-11 also mentioned, "I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection". This desire of Paul is the thing that will bring him to Eudamonia. The word "know" that Paul used here, is not talking about the normal activity of brain which is thinking, but much deeper. It is related to something intimate. In other words, Paul want to know God at the deepest level, not just for the sake of knowing but relating. It is a relationship through the bound of mind.
The Eudamonia of Greek is only one directional stream. One need to effortlessly exercise the Arete through learning, and continuously exploring lot of knowledge, to be contend. This modes possibly lead one to what wise-man had ever said in Ecclesiastes 12:12, "Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body." In contrasts, the Eudamonia of Christian faith is always two directional stream. It will always make people who pursue it refreshed, and increase their desire to know God more and more because the thing they explored is essentially not a 'thing' (knowledge) but it is a 'person'. God as the living being who inspire humanity to search Him, to know Him, and to relate with him, will grant them a grace of desire, and blessings in the process of the intellectual Arete. Thus, It will never be a restless journey to be walk through, if we like to do so. Yet, we must remember that the actual Eudamonia in Christian faith is always yet to come. Thomas Aquinas argues in his works that The Eudamonia is not to be found in this present life, but in after life when our soul released from our material body and unite with our God in eternity. The book of Revelation, chapter 21:4 also give us the three metaphors via negativa, to describe our future state of Eudamonia as it written, "there will be no death, sorrow nor crying." Nevertheless, having said that, it does not make Eudamonia meaningless. We are all can still taste the pre-Eudamonia satisfyingly in this world, through our passion to know Him intimately, with our mind (Intellectual Arete). To know God more deeply and dearly in every step of our life!
The Eudamonia of Greek is only one directional stream. One need to effortlessly exercise the Arete through learning, and continuously exploring lot of knowledge, to be contend. This modes possibly lead one to what wise-man had ever said in Ecclesiastes 12:12, "Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body." In contrasts, the Eudamonia of Christian faith is always two directional stream. It will always make people who pursue it refreshed, and increase their desire to know God more and more because the thing they explored is essentially not a 'thing' (knowledge) but it is a 'person'. God as the living being who inspire humanity to search Him, to know Him, and to relate with him, will grant them a grace of desire, and blessings in the process of the intellectual Arete. Thus, It will never be a restless journey to be walk through, if we like to do so. Yet, we must remember that the actual Eudamonia in Christian faith is always yet to come. Thomas Aquinas argues in his works that The Eudamonia is not to be found in this present life, but in after life when our soul released from our material body and unite with our God in eternity. The book of Revelation, chapter 21:4 also give us the three metaphors via negativa, to describe our future state of Eudamonia as it written, "there will be no death, sorrow nor crying." Nevertheless, having said that, it does not make Eudamonia meaningless. We are all can still taste the pre-Eudamonia satisfyingly in this world, through our passion to know Him intimately, with our mind (Intellectual Arete). To know God more deeply and dearly in every step of our life!
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