Wikipedia will tell you that it is pain and unpleasantness. But that is too shallow. That isn’t true suffering. To me, suffering is when thoughts start causing physical pain. When the prospect of death seems like the only escape. But sometimes not even death can stop suffering.

I’ve been thinking about this a lot. What is the nature, the purpose of suffering. And then, it hit me. Maybe the lack of a purpose is the problem? It is easier to take pain when we know when it will end, or when we know that it is a pain of healing. But when it is a destructive pain, or suffering without a purpose, then it is true suffering. Pain for the sake of pain, where nothing is gained and everything is lost. Is that the nature of suffering? I don’t know. I can’t say that I experienced true suffering on that level. I don’t think anyone has. Or at least they haven’t lived long enough to tell the tale.

Is being stuck upside down in a cave until you slowly die, knowing nobody will come to rescue you true suffering? Is being a victim of a terrible crime and not being able to ever get justice for it true suffering? Or is it something simpler?

I was never good with words. So please don’t blame me if I can’t fully define it. That is exactly why I ask this question. I invite you all to discuss the essence and the nature of suffering with me. I wish to understand.

DISCLAIMER: This is a philosophical question. Nothing more, nothing less.

    • Ey ich frag doch nur@lemmy.world
      11·
      6 days ago

      I mean you can interpret so much into that word if you want… it’s just self-destruction wallowing in Weltschmerz. That’s not philosophical, that’s depression

      • Young_Gilgamesh@lemmy.worldOP
        11·
        5 days ago

        You can’t just say that the essence of suffering is “the big sad”. These are all aspects.

        And what is so depressing here? I really don’t understand. Is it that talking about suffering makes people sad? Is that how empathy works? This is a genuine question. I do not feel uncomfortable or sad talking/hearing about tragedy or suffering. I understand the feelings, but I don’t feel them. That’s why I would never link the philosophical discussion of suffering and depression.

        Unless your point is that depression and suffering are linked? If that is the case, then I fully agree. One can cause the other, both ways.