From our textbook, p. 22:
It is important to see that the Greek word translated as
“happiness,” eudaimonia, does not quite coincide in meaning with our idea of happiness. … For
them [the Greeks], eudaimonia refers
primarily to what Aristotle calls “living well and doing well,” that is, living
a life that is satisfying and worthwhile because it is full, abundant, and
deserving of praise. This is why eudaimonia is often translated as “flourishing” or “thriving.” What is at issue
in this conception of happiness is not how one happens to feel at any moment,
but the quality of one’s life as a whole….
As soon as I read this introductory
passage in our textbook, I recalled a moment that has stayed with me: learning
the full meaning of the term shalom.
Word Origin and History for shalom
Jewish word of greeting, Hebrew, literally "peace,"
properly "completeness, soundness, welfare," from stem of shalam
"was intact, was complete, was in good health." Related to Arabic salima
"was safe," aslama "surrendered, submitted."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010
Douglas Harper
shalom.
(n.d.). Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved September 11, 2014, from
Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/shalom
What
intrigues me here is the thought of two cultures that were so separated having such
similar concepts independently (and, moreover, expressed in single words),
which, in turn, hints at the potential similarities between the overarching ideologies
of those two cultures—an emphasis on one’s overall wellbeing, more than
transitory feelings of being pleased or glad due to outside influences, but a
lasting contentment stemming from a deep-seated ideology.
Finding
out that the Greek and Hebrew cultures have words for strikingly similar
concepts makes me wonder what other cultures might also have ways of expressing
this wholeness, this completeness, that can be described in as little as one
word—and how that presence or absence of such specified terminology is
reflected by those cultures’ general beliefs (whether philosophical or
religious)… And, correspondingly, I find it intriguing to speculate on what
cultural mindsets would be most conducive to bringing such a concept, and
consequently such terminology, into existence. Of course, with enough research
(probably fairly extensive research, I would imagine), the answers might easily
present themselves. In the meantime, however, I invite the reader to speculate
as well, and to put forth any thoughts on the matter.
Following
is a link to an article of particular interest which addresses the use of shalom and its Arabic counterpart salaam, as well as various Latin and
English derivatives which likely owe their existence to the translation and dispersion
of the Old and New Testaments of the Bible with the spread of Christianity and
its eventually-established customs.
It
is truly remarkable how, according to Aristotle, eudaimonia can be understood and achieved simply by, essentially,
being moderate between all extremes; but it is also of course possible to bring
Plato into this discussion, particularly thanks to this verse from the Old
Testament:
He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a
city that is broken down, and without walls.
– Proverbs 25:28
Ta-da!
An analogy of the spirit in reference to a city!
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