CONFERENCE ON

EUDAIMONIA—HUMAN FLOURISHING 

April 20–22, 2017, Winston-Salem NC

 

CONFERENCE SPONSORS:

Eudaimonia Institute, Wake Forest University

BB&T Center for the Study of Capitalism, Wake Forest University

Center for Bioethics, Health, and Society, Wake Forest University

Thrive, the Office of Wellbeing, Wake Forest University

Wake Forest School of Business, Wake Forest University

Eudaimonia is Aristotle’s word for “well-being,” “happiness,” or “flourishing.” The well-being and the flourishing of individuals, the happiness of families, and the prospering of communities is strongly affected by the economic, political, moral, and cultural institutions in which they live. To live a productive and fulfilling life requires an understanding of the nature, benefits, and liabilities these institutions, and of the profound ways these institutions shape and are shaped by individuals’ life projects. Our challenge is to explore, understand, and prepare ourselves and the next generations to take advantage of the enormous potential for human flourishing created by sound institutions.

This conference aims to promote high-quality, interdisciplinary theoretical and empirical research that develops a better understanding of eudaimonia, its determinants, and its institutional implications.

The following is a list of some potential project ideas:

• What exactly is eudaimonia? Can it be credibly assessed and measured—and, if so, how?
• Where and how are other attempts at assessing or measuring happiness or well-being lacking? How can we improve upon others’ efforts and findings?
• What kinds of political, economic, and cultural institutions seem to affect eudaimonia most?
• What roles do psychological health, grit, overcoming adversity, and character building play in eudaimonia?
• How does absolute vs. relative well-being affect eudaimonia?

CONFERENCE FORMAT

This is a small, one-and-a-half-day conference to be held at Wake Forest University (Winston-Salem, NC, USA). The restricted number of conference participants will favor discussions and exchange of ideas across disciplines.  Submitted papers should represent original, unpublished research.  Authors whose papers are accepted agree to acknowledge the conference upon subsequent publication.

COSTS

Submission and registration are free. For one author per paper, the conference organizers will cover lodging for two nights, transportation from the hotel to conference site and meals during the conference. Also, reimbursement will be offered to defray travel expenses of up to $400.

CONFERENCE PROGRAM COMMITTEE

Adam S. Hyde (Wake Forest University)

Erik Angner (Stockholm University)

Malika Roman Isler (Wake Forest University)

IMPORTANT DEADLINES

Conference dates: April 20–22, 2017 (Winston-Salem, NC)

Evening reception: April 20, 2017

Conference submission deadline: December 25, 2016

Conference acceptance decision: January 31, 2017

Papers should be submitted to Adam S. Hyde (hydeas@wfu.edu) with the subject heading: “Eudaimonia Conference Submission”.