you die what??
Rooted in Aristotle's ethical philosophy, eudaimonia is a way to think about wellbeing as "doing good" in the world.
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Workplace as Modern Polis
Organizations shape daily lived experience
Potential stewards of stakeholder flourishing
Eudaimonic design is hard and there's limited guidance
Yet some organizations want to pursue it
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If eudaimonia is a journey...
What kind of vessel do we need?
How do we design for flourishing?
1. The philosophy
2. The business case
3. The boat
4. The Future
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NPPA 2026 | andrew@eubd.ca
This talk is based on a chapter I've co-authored with Carol Ryff in a forthcoming Research Handbook on Positive Psychology in the Workplace
See also: Soren, A., & Ryff, C. D. (2023). Meaningful Work, Well-Being, and Health: Enacting a Eudaimonic Vision. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(16), 6570.
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Part 1
The Communal Soul of Eudaimonia
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NPPA 2026 | andrew@eubd.ca
So what is eudaimonia?
eu → good
daimon → soul
daimon → soul
"Activity of the soul in accordance with virtue"
- A daily practice of doing good
- Journey involving discernment and struggle
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The Virtuous Cycle of Flourishing
Individuals flourish when society flourishes
Society flourishes when individuals flourish
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Where Modern Wellbeing Science Drifted
(Joshanloo, 2024)
Focus on the subjective rather than the normative
Based on Western, individualistic assumptions
Anchored in autonomy and self-expression
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- Self-Optimization
- Self-Help
- Self-Care
- Self-Development
- Self-Actualization
- Self-Improvement
- Self-Discovery
- Self-Mastery
- Self-Realization
- Self-Transformation
- Self-Empowerment
- Self-Healing
- Self-Regulation
- Self-Compassion
- Self-Awareness
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NPPA 2026 | andrew@eubd.ca
Not ME → but WE
Not just psychology → but ethics
Not isolated thriving → shared flourishing
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NPPA 2026 | andrew@eubd.ca
Part Two
The Business Case for Eudaimonia at Work
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The Business Case Is Clear
Health & Longevity
Links to health, longevity, lower absenteeism
Cost Reduction
Reduced healthcare and turnover costs
Performance
Higher productivity, creativity, innovation
Market Success
Market outperformance
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Instrumental vs. Intrinsic Good
The "morally hollow iron cage" of organizational life— Alasdair MacIntyre
Eudaimonia as moral act, not just strategic lever
Reintegrate virtue ethics into organizations
Neglect leads to burnout and harm
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NPPA 2026 | andrew@eubd.ca
Part Three
The Eudaimonic Boat
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How do we design eudaimonia at work?
Individual interventions are insufficient
Requires interdisciplinary, systems thinking
No silver bullets → whole-boat design
Illustration by Paige Boivin
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The Waters
Context Matters
Industry and market conditions
Organisation size and structure
Cultural norms and values
Economic and social factors
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The Hull
Decent Working Conditions Keep Us Afloat
Fair compensation and job security
Safe and healthy work environment
Dignity - being treated as a human
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The Sails
Psychological well-being capture the wind and propel us forward.
Meaning & Purpose
Autonomy
Self-Awareness
Positive Relationships
Environmental Mastery
Growth & Development
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The Masts
Job design and role clarity are the structures that support wellbeing
Clear goals and success metrics
Task variety and challenge
Meaningful contribution
Stakeholder interaction
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The Captain
Leaders create the climate for wellbeing
Role Modelling Values
Demonstrating Care
Psychological safety
Autonomy support
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The Crew
Voice and choice is the social contract
Two-Way Communication
Participatory Decision-Making
Growth Opportunities
Rituals of Recognition
Organizational Justice
Work-Life Harmony
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The Destination
A shared purpose guides collective effort
Profit is necessary for sustainability
People & Planet are the moral core of inspiration
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A journey that never ends
- The whole boat matters
- Complexity is the key
- Requires systems thinking
- Leadership buy-in is necessary
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Part Four
AI and the Future of Eudaimonia at Work
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AI's Double-Edge
The Promise
- AI may strengthen every part of boat
- Sharper data on waters and hull
- Better tools for sails and leadership
The Perils
Or crew forced to "walk the plank"
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Inequality and the Bionic Arm
For the Powerful
Technology amplifies opportunity and productivity
For the Vulnerable
AI becomes an impossible thing to compete with
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The Deeper Threat
Not just hands replaced
Risk of eroding our heads
AI outperforming technical domains
What remains uniquely human?
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Binding Technology
Progress always involves trade-offs
Guard what matters most
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What the Talmud says about AI
Avodah | עבודה
Assigned, routine labour
Melachah | מלאכה
Creative, meaning-making work
The question for our age of AI
What are we prepared to protect as sacred?
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Conclusion
Bringing It All Together
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Reclaiming eudaimonia as our communal soul
Work shapes identity and society
Beyond self-optimization and performance
Design as if eudaimonia matters
Organizations can be moral communities
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Q&A
Andrew Soren
CEO, Eudaimonic by Design
Executive Director, International Positive Psychology Association (IPPA)
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