University Essay: Exploring the Philosophical Concept of Suffering

This essay delves into the multifaceted concept of human suffering, exploring its various forms and meanings. It begins by acknowledging the pervasive nature of suffering in human life and raises questions about its significance. The essay then examines different perspectives on suffering, drawing on philosophical insights to discuss the complexities of mental and physical pain. It highlights the role of suffering in human experience, including its potential to foster resilience and empathy. Furthermore, the essay contrasts human and animal experiences of suffering, considering the impact of memory and anticipation. The essay concludes by emphasizing the inevitability of suffering and suggesting that a balanced approach, focusing on both positive and negative emotions, can lead to a more fulfilling life. The essay also references several academic sources to support its claims and arguments.

Essay on Suffering
Title: Essay on Suffering
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Essay on Suffering
Contents
Introduction 2
Discussion 2
Conclusion 4
References 5
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Essay on Suffering
Introduction
Every day, all over, in many kinds and forms around us, human suffering occurs. It is not
visible always; however that doesn't prove that it doesn't exist. When it is visible, the question
arises that, "Is suffering meaningful?". Yes, it also has significance. However, as to look
deeper into this issue, it can be seen that there are distinct thoughts about "meaning" or the cause
of pain. Searching at the concept of the term suffers, "experience or endure pain; sustain harm or
loss," it can be found that suffering can occur due to much action. In this essay, we will clearly
understand the matter suffering.
Discussion
It is not so great to suffer, but when a person suffers and get past of it he can learn from
it. Man's suffering is a really complex topic that most probably cannot be fully understood. It's a
topic where individuals have been struggling from the beginning of human history (Cassell and
Ben 236). In reality, all type of art that man has produced represents suffering. Of our paintings,
in our poetry, in our music, in our plays, as well as in much of anything conceivable, there is
suffering. However, we still struggle with the concept of suffering as a whole (Robbins 448).
Some people may understand the concept of suffering better than anybody else, but in every
form, no one will ever fully grasp suffering. An individual can only comprehend, not suffer as a
whole, his or her own private suffering. Suffering has always been greater mental pain than a
physical one. If anybody mentally suffers from anything that could take many years to heal,
suffering flows longer and deeper (Kissane 1504).
Suffering often pushes people to generally ask for assistance; to look for strength from
others, to those of us who are supporting someone who is a pain when some of the biggest strong
bonds like friendship are produced. A human being just cannot be separated from suffering even
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Essay on Suffering
though the source of his pain is his often quite nature. An existence of feelings and materialistic
wishes might be free of pain, guided by purpose alone.
However, complete liberty from these notions can only be achieved by non-existence,
which makes it difficult to accomplish when alive. It is vital for a human being to look the world
subjectively and therefore not objectively for survival in this world. Therefore, it is reasonable to
say that the will of human acts for their best interests. It also enables everyone to have wishes
necessary to survive (Gilbert 25). For example, everyone needs to have a willingness to eat
frequently to feed themselves; if they failed to do so, they would die. In addition, when
a comparison is done between human and animals, the animals seem to enjoy a better life than
humans. The reality is that animals don't build and replay memories from their past, that is why
they live a much better life than humans (Wilkinson and Arthur 7 ). Take a goldfish for
instance; most tests argue to have a useful life of three secs, corresponding that it can only be
said about human life that it would endure by recalling ancient experiences that caused us
suffering and pain. Animals do not worry about their future or history, unlike human beings.
They have been living in the moment (Berendzen 1023).
The suffering of human beings is permanent and unavoidable. There's a pain waiting to
occur when there's a pleasure. A person always attempts to flee it because there is a pain. Human
beings face life's hardships, and emotional distress and pain come with those difficulties. Human
beings are trying to comprehend the logic of suffering, the pain they inflict, and the stress they
have to suffer (Robbins 452).
It is understandable that life tends to desire and those desires remains mainly unfulfilled.
Life enters into a state of deprivation because its desires are frequently unfulfilled. A person sets
himself to suffer by wishing or expecting anything until that goal is fulfilled. Then a new goal is
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Essay on Suffering
set out upon the fulfillment of desire, and therefore the process of suffering starts once more
(Fingarette 451).
Conclusion
Life has sufferings to a certain extent, this fact is inevitable. However, humans can lead a
fairly pleasant life by recognizing this, and by concentrating on the positive. A person should,
therefore, experience as fully as possible every emotion, positive or negative. A human being
must acknowledge that their suffering is of excellent benefit, which is the advancement in favor
of their own existence.
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Essay on Suffering
References
Cassell, Eric J., and Ben A. Rich. "Intractable end-of-life suffering and the ethics of palliative
sedation." Pain Medicine 11.3 (2010): 435-438.
Robbins, Joel. "Beyond the suffering subject: toward an anthropology of the good." Journal of
the Royal Anthropological Institute 19.3 (2013): 447-462.
Kissane, David W. "The relief of existential suffering." Archives of internal medicine 172.19
(2012): 1501-1505
Gilbert, Paul. Human nature and suffering. Routledge, 2016. 1-125
Wilkinson, Iain, and Arthur Kleinman. A passion for society: How we think about human
suffering. Vol. 35. University of California Press, 2016. 7-8
Berendzen, J. C. "Suffering and theory: Max Horkheimer’s early essays and contemporary moral
philosophy." Philosophy & Social Criticism 36.9 (2010): 1019-1037.
Robbins, Joel. "Beyond the suffering subject: toward an anthropology of the good." Journal of
the Royal Anthropological Institute 19.3 (2013): 447-462.
Fingarette, Herbert. "Punishment and suffering." The American Philosophical Association
Centennial Series (2013): 439-461.
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