Eudaimonic information behavior: Looking for meaning, value, and fulfillment

Eudaimonia is an ancient Greek word in Hellenistic philosophy that means to live a flourishing life in harmony with virtues and values. Aristotle defines eudaimonia as a life of goodness and excellence to pursue authentic happiness, which is achieved by exercising and expressing virtues. From an Aristotelian perspective, eudaimonia is the goal of practical and ethical wisdom. Therefore, we can be eudaimonically happy when our life is in harmony with our true values and is based on virtues. Then, we will be able to fulfill our potentialities and reach self-actualization. Therefore, a eudaimonic life is a fulfilled life full of pleasure, passion, and purpose. However, it is not limited to hedonistic happiness. It has profound elements of decency, worthiness, and virtuousness. Research shows that the domain of serious leisure is a productive realm to promote eudaimonic well-being. This conceptual framework informs my current research in gaining new insight into unique features of information behavior in the context of serious leisure. My research shows that people involved in serious leisure have a particular attitude toward the information resources relevant to their hobbies or voluntary activities. Their attitude is different from information behavior in the workplace or educational contexts. Their information activities help them enhance their knowledge and assist others regarding a shared interest. Therefore, their information behavior is motivated by eudaimonic aims and can be called eudaimonic information behavior. In summary, in eudaimonic information behavior, access to information is not necessarily a means to perform a task or resolve a problem. Instead, it is a goal on its own embedded in a broader picture and to pursue a transcendental vision.