Towards A New Definition of Human Flourishing

The way we define human flourishing is important. It shapes our goals and how we measure sucess.

What does 'human flourishing' really mean?

According to Aristotle, it is "the highest human good, achievable by living a life of virtue."

But "virtue" has changed since Aristotle's time.

It is time to redefine human flourishing.

Current definitions seemed to focus on the individual: "a state in which all aspects of a person’s life are good".

But in many cultures, especially in Africa and Asia, flourishing is about more than just the self. It is about the collective well-being and the capabilities of people as a community.

What does it really mean for "all aspects of a person’s life to be good”?

Isn't it subjective? What is good for someone may not be good for another.

Instead, let’s focus on a broader perspective: the capabilities of a person.

Capabilities refer to the freedoms we have to lead a life we want to value.

It is a more inclusive definition of human flourishing. One that goes beyond just having "all aspects" of life good.

It is about having the capabilities to lead a life of value.

So here is a redefined version of human flourishing:

"A state in which all aspects of people’s capabilities lead to the kind of lives they value."

The pathway to a life worth living is to assess your capabilities.

Capabilities are the pathways that shape the domains of human flourishing.

Here is the catch:

Not all capabilities are created equal.

Our society values some more than others:

• Minds over bodies

• White-collar over blue-collar

• Objective over subjective

BUT, it doesn't have to be that way.

Capability can be a personal choice but also contingent on factors beyond one’s control.

In real life, the freedom to flourish and lead the kind of lives we value is heavily dependent on several factors.

First is place.

The environment we grow up in profoundly impacts our beliefs and character. It can also determine our access to resources, safety, and opportunities.

Second is people.

Our relationships shape the way we think and influence our career paths, hobbies, and more.

Third is time.

Every generation has its unique challenges and opportunities. The economic, social, and political climate of the time can greatly determine our access to education, employment, and even basic human rights.

Ultimately, the ability to flourish is not just about individual choices. It is not 100% in your control.

Sure, your talents, choices, and mindset matter.

But the myth is that success = you alone.

Nope, it is a combination of your actions and environment.

Your neighborhood, education, and resources are gatekeepers.

If one breaks down, everything else crashes.

I unpacked this phenomenon in more detail in a paper on how place shapes the aspirations of hope with my friend David Newheiser.

Capability theory supports this.

It shows that people need certain things to flourish:

• Basic needs (food, shelter)

• Health

• Education

So, don't beat yourself up if things aren't falling into place.

It may be because you are missing a "gatekeeper."

Find it → Improve it → Flourish.

As I end, a more fitting definition of human flourishing for many cultures is:

This value-oriented definition considers what people in different cultures see as important. It values community, relationships, and shared goals.

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References

Counted, V., Cowden, R. G., & Lomas, T. (2024). Global diversity in spatial (rural-urban) well-being in over 100 countries. Cities, 149, 104987.

Counted, V., Cowden, R.G., & Lomas, T. (2024). Multidimensional Flourishing in Africa: An Intracontinental Descriptive Analysis of 38 Well-being Indicators in 40 Countries. Journal of Happiness Studies 25(51). Advanced online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-024-00764-5

Counted, V., & Newheiser, D. (2024). How place shapes the aspirations of hope: the allegory of the privileged and the underprivileged. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 19(4), 724-731.

VanderWeele, T. J. (2017). On the promotion of human flourishing. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 114(31), 8148-8156.