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 Is suffering (as a concept) necessary? (4)

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Elvira(3446) pic



Is suffering (as a concept) necessary?

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2 points

I don't understand the question. It is like saying is a mountain or a fish necessary. Necessary for what?

I believe not.

Pointless suffering is pointless. But if you have something you want to achieve in exchange for the pain, it's called "sacrifice"

Stickers(1037) Clarified
1 point

Suffering has never been associated with a sunk cost, so I'm pretty sure that's just semantics, and makes the definition of "suffering" way foggier than it needs to be.

The term actually arose sacrificium, a latin term which at the time could mean anything from druids tying slaves to trees and burning them, or the occasional act of animal cruelty that I'd rather not get into. These things have always been referred to as suffering, regardless of what is expected to happen afterwards.

EDIT: I agree that simple suffering is not necessary as an abstract, (justice, ethic of reciprocity, etc) much less necessary is the actual suffering by itself. The actions that cause suffering are sometimes necessary.

1 point

It's necessary for survival. Without suffering, there would not be anything to avoid.

People would just waste away.

1 point

I'm inclined to say yes, due to the fact that we live in the world we live in. If we could somehow get all creatures to absorb light as their only necessary food source, then maybe we could end suffering's necessity, but until then we're stuck with it.